Despite drop in water use, Easley wants to expand conservation

RALEIGH (AP) — Gov. Mike Easley says state water use is down by about 31 percent since last spring, but he says residents still need to do more to conserve.

Despite heavy rains last week, North Carolina is still suffering from the worst drought in the state’s recorded history.

Easley says he asked the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety to coordinate water conservation efforts among other state agencies. Easley says he chose the department to lead the efforts because it’s used to dealing with crises, such as hurricanes.

Still, Easley says the best conservation is done locally — one home at a time, and one citizen at a time.

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