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Why Conserve Water?

Since the spring of 2007, North Carolina has experienced the worst drought in recorded history. Record heat, combined with a lack of rainfall, has put serious pressure on the state’s water supplies. This year’s rainfall has been less than 50 percent of the state average.The drought is most severe in the western mountain counties, but the entire state is feeling the effects. Since forecasters do not see an end to these conditions in the near future, N.C. Governor Mike Easely has asked everyone to do their part
in conserving water.

What we’re doing...

At the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, we’re working to reduce our water consumption without compromising the health of our animal collection or adversely impacting guest services.

We began making dramatic cuts in our water usage a few years ago, and we’re still finding new ways to conserve.

• Here are some measures we’ve already taken:
• Upgrading our cooling tower
• Installing aerators on bathroom faucets
• Encouraging divers to take “navy showers”
• Curtailing vehicle washing
• Requiring shut-off nozzles on all hoses
• Reporting and repairing all leaks
• Capturing rainwater for plant irrigation
• Modifying irrigation schedules
• Increasing drought-tolerant species in plant collection
• Requiring staff to participate in water conservation training
• Developing more efficient schedules for wash-downs, backwashes and other
  filtration maintenance. (All of our aquatic exhibits are closed systems, in which
  water is treated, filtered and recycled.)

Looking ahead, we hope to save even more water by:

• Redesigning bathrooms to include waterless urinals, low-flow toilets, and motion--
  sensors for sinks
• Reclaiming water from a variety of sources
• Enhancing existing rainwater harvesting system

Additional information:

http://p2pays.org/water/
http://www.ncwater.org/Water_Supply_Planning/Water_Conservation/
http://www.ncdrought.org/
http://www.epa.gov/owm/water-efficiency/index.htm
http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/
http://www.h2ouse.org/
http://www.sustainablenc.org/water.htm