Rule 1- blame the citizens for using too much water.
Rule 2- if the citizens point out the lack of planning, the "not invented here" reaction to suggestions, etc, refer them to Rule 1!!
There is plenty of water- it's just not in Falls Lake but it could have been in unbuilt reservoirs. It's also could be in Falls Lake if the silt had been pumped downstream or the lake dredged (cheaper than rain barrels which do not conserve water but rather divert water from the lake). And how about those millions of gallons of good water going to waste at the phosphate mine down east. But there's no leadership to go get any of that water.
I think they are just practicing their methods of controlling citizens in preparation for the Big One- the electrical shortage in 5-10 years caused by renewable energy requirements. Read up on the South African electricity shortage caused by government ineptness.
Tom
Durham, NC
Drought lessons
Dale Crisp, Raleigh Public Utilities director, is set to report that the reasons for Raleigh's water shortages had nothing to do with the uncontrolled growth in this area. Imagine that. This is the same manager that for years campaigned for the elimination of garbage disposals because of his personal belief that they were the cause of sewer backups. This campaign by the way was based solely on his own opinion not research. He offered this as an excuse for a failing and neglected infrastructure. I would expect a competent manager with such thoughts to have sponsored detailed research. Crisp harbored this idea for years bringing it forth to our City Council where it was immediately adopted only to prompt an outcry by the public after detailed facts were released, embarrassing this city nationally. Reversed, upon further review, Crisp was proven to be an inept manager. Now he is set to report yet again without the benefit of facts. Uncontrolled water sales to every community in this area and the corresponding development of thousands of apartments, condos, townhouses and housing developments far outstrip our water supply in times of drought. The people of the City of Raleigh know better. Any pittance of personal water savings will be outstripped at the first flushing of the toilets in these new houses. If Crisp were working in private industry he would have been dismissed years ago. Just another failed bureaucrat on the public payroll. The fact he enjoys the support of our City Manager is unbelievable. We deserve much better.
Ed
Raleigh, NC