Environment
Raleigh’s Water Conundrum: Conservation v. Rates
Raleigh is in a moderate drought, but a task force says: don’t push water conservation. Raleigh, like many other cities, faces tough choices when it comes to water. Water is paid by user fees. So when people conserve, the utility, which has its own budget, loses revenue.
Wake Commission considers septic inspection fee
The Wake County Board of Commissioners Tuesday listened to a proposed ordinance change that would require regular inspections of septic systems. The inspection system would be similar to that of vehicle inspections, with residents required to get one every five years from an independent contractor. Homeowners would likely pay $200 for the inspection, plus the cost of uncovering the tank and pumping it out.
Measuring Raleigh’s sustainability efforts
Between 2007 and 2008 the city council set three goals to make Raleigh a more sustainable city.The city’s sustainability office gave councilors an update on those efforts recently. Those goals include reducing fossil fuel consumption by city vehicles by 20 percent, setting efficiency standards for new buildings and endorsing the U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement.
Wake County’s water quality report card
Tension is rife these days between Raleigh and Durham about Falls Lake water quality. Raleigh contends “its” water source – whose headwaters are located in Durham County – is dirty, getting dirtier and Durham allowed it to get that way.
Dirty water is neither cheap nor easy to clean. Raleigh may have to pay $450M to boost its water treatment plant’s cleaning capacity if Falls get dirtier. Durham likely would pay considerably more to clean Falls Lake. Finger pointing is all very fine, but everybody lives downstream.
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