Water Smarts (North Carolina)
Drought conditions persist across North Carolina, with 84 percent of the state experiencing extreme or exceptional drought. Extreme drought in a region means that major loss of crop or pasture islikely, fire risk isextreme, and water shortages and restrictions are widespread.
Viewer Tip: Saving water at home not only helps during dry times, it also saves energy.Mostindoor water use takes place in thebathroom and kitchen, whereletting the faucet run for just five minutes uses as much energy as it would take to power a 60-watt light bulb for 14 hours! Don’t let water go down the drain unused- If you’re running the faucet to warm up water, capture cooler water in a bucket and use it to water houseplants or wash windows. And, instead of running the faucet to get cold drinking water, keep a refillable pitcher in the refrigerator.
Season: Fall
(Sources: U.S. Drought Monitor: October 16, 2007: North Carolina. http://drought.unl.edu/dm/DM_state.htm?NC,SE; EPA WaterSense Program. “Using Water Efficienty: Ideas for Residences,” http://www.epa.gov/watersense/pubs/res.htm and “Benefits of Water Efficiency,” http://www.epa.gov/watersense/water/benefits.htm)
