Hot Topics: Drought Legislation, Conservation Tips, Drought FAQ
Hi-Resolution Image | Print Version
North Carolina Drought Advisory
Released: August 21, 2008
The North Carolina Drought Advisory issued by the Drought Management Advisory Council has been updated to reflect drought conditions on August 19, 2008 indicated on the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor of North Carolina. Until further notice, the NCDMAC strongly urges the implementation of drought response actions, for all water users located in or dependent on water resources from the areas of the state experiencing the following drought conditions:
- (D4) Exceptional drought conditions.
- (D3) Extreme drought conditions.
- (D2) Severe drought conditions.
- (D1) Moderate drought conditions.
- (DO) Impending drought conditions (abnormally dry conditions).
County Drought Classification
If the US Drought Monitor of NC shows more than one drought designation in a county, the drought classification for each county
published by the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council is the highest drought designation that applies to at least twenty
five percent (25%) of the land area of the county.
Drought Classification and Response Actions
D4-Exceptional Drought
The NCDMAC urgently advises all water users in the counties that are indicated on the US Drought Monitor Map of North Carolina as suffering from Exceptional Drought (D4) conditions to enact the following precautions in addition to previous advisories until further notice:
- All water users are advised to follow their Water Shortage Response Plan (WSRP). An effective WSRP should adhere to the guidelines set forth by the water use rules during drought that became effective March 19, 2007. Water users without a written plan are advised to follow the applicable default water use reduction measures outlined in Section .0614 of the rules during exceptional drought designations.
- Limit water usage to those uses that are essential to ensure public health and safety.
- Prepare for the likelihood of community water systems requiring water rationing.
- Participate in regional and local coordination for the management of water resources.
- Stay informed on drought conditions and advisories (www.ncdrought.org).
D3-Extreme Drought
The NCDMAC urgently advises all water users in the counties that are indicated on the US Drought Monitor Map of North Carolina as suffering from Extreme Drought (D3) conditions to enact the following precautions in addition to previous advisories until further notice:
- All water users are advised to follow their Water Shortage Response Plan (WSRP). An effective WSRP should adhere to the guidelines set forth by the water use rules during drought that became effective March 19, 2007. Water users without a written plan are advised to follow the applicable default water use reduction measures outlined in Section .0614 of the rules during extreme drought designations.
- Stay informed on drought conditions and advisories (www.ncdrought.org).
- Participate in regional and local coordination for the management of water resources.
- Reduce socially and economically important water uses to ensure the availability of water for critical needs (e.g. firefighting, health and safety, etc.).
- Revisit and/or explore, if not already accomplished, alternative water sources and reuse options.
D2-Severe Drought
The NCDMAC strongly advises all water users in the counties that are indicated on the US Drought Monitor Map as suffering from Severe Drought (D2) conditions to enact the following precautions in addition to previous advisories until further notice:
- Implement Water Shortage Response Plans, if not already enacted.
- Stay informed on drought conditions and advisories (www.ncdrought.org).
- Participate, as appropriate, in regional and local coordination for the management of water resources.
- Reexamine water delivery systems to minimize water loss and maximize water use efficiency.
- Eliminate nonessential uses of water.
- Evaluate the feasibility of incorporating water reuse, reclamation and/or recycling into daily operations.
- Seek to reduce water usage by, at least, the same percentage as the percent differential between normal seasonal water supply availability and the actual water supply availability resulting from current drought conditions.
- Increase public awareness and educational outreach programs emphasizing the need to conserve water.
D1 - Moderate Drought
The NCDMAC advises all water users in the counties that are indicated on the US Drought Monitor Map as suffering from Moderate Drought (D1) conditions to enact the following precautions in addition to previous advisories until further notice:
- Adhere to local water use restrictions.
- Participate, as appropriate, in regional and local coordination for the management of water resources.
- Stay informed on drought conditions and advisories (www.ncdrought.org).
- Project water needs and available water supply for a ninety day period from the issuance of this advisory.
- Assess your vulnerability to the drought conditions and adjust water usage to prolong available supply.
- Inspect water delivery system components (e.g. irrigation lines, fixtures, processing equipment, water system lines, etc.), repair leaks and ensure that existing equipment is operating as efficiently as possible.
- Minimize nonessential uses of water.
- Implement available public awareness and educational outreach programs emphasizing the need to conserve water.
D0 - Abnormally Dry
The NCDMAC requests all water users in the counties that are indicated on the US Drought Monitor Map as suffering from Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions to closely monitor their water supply source for diminished capacity and take precautions to prepare for impending drought conditions.
- Review and be prepared to implement your Water Shortage Response Plans at the appropriate time.
- Participate, as appropriate, in regional and local coordination for the management of water resources.
- Stay informed on drought conditions and advisories (www.ncdrought.org).