County leaders are looking to the community to help chart Wake’s water future, launching a short survey today to take the pulse of residents, businesses, farmers and community organizations when it comes to water concerns and water usage. The County’s incredible population growth, weather changes and housing pressures have triggered staff to proactively create a comprehensive water plan, aimed at ensuring everyone in Wake County has enough water in the next 50 years.
“We need to hear from everyone as we work to develop Wake’s One Water plan – we need people who rely on wells, who can’t afford to pay their water bills, or who simply enjoy kayaking in our lakes to share input,” said Donald Mial, Wake County Commissioner. “It’s called One Water because whether it’s the water that comes out of your faucet, that flushes your toilet, that runs in the stream by your house or that falls from the sky – it’s all connected in one big cycle. It effects everyone, so we need everyone’s voice!”
Wake County Water Quality staff will work with community partners over the next two years to develop One Water Plan with the aim of ensuring a sustainable 50-year supply of clean drinking water for everyone in Wake County, regardless of their water source, their income level or where they live in the county.
The plan will integrate all aspects of water planning, including assessing water supply, wastewater treatment, stormwater, flood management and groundwater protection. It will touch on residential and commercial development at the county and municipal levels and incorporate transportation planning. The goal is to support all aspects of Wake’s growing population and still preserve our limited natural resources.
The survey will be available in multiple languages at wake.gov/OneWater for the next month, at least through April 23, 2023. It asks simple questions like how people use water in their daily lives, if they’ve ever had taste or odor issues with their water, if they’ve experienced flooding and how they value having recreational water opportunities nearby. The feedback will help to refine the goals and guide the development of the plan.
Surveys will also be available in hard copy and will be distributed to community partners and at public events. Results of the survey will be shared publicly and opportunities for public participation will continue throughout the plan’s development.
Wake County is working with consultants including Tetra Tech, Hazen & Sawyer, Research Triangle Institute and Public Participation Partners (P3).
One Water is part of a national movement to work across communities and industries to achieve an equitable and sustainable water future for all. To learn more, go to uswateralliance.org/one-water.
