Concerns Plentiful After Water-Transfer Decision: Cabarrus Faces Issues Such As Prices, Long-Term Availability

By Sharif Durhams, The Charlotte Observer, N.C.

Jan. 14–Concord and Kannapolis have battled for six years for state permission to draw water from the Catawba and the Yadkin rivers, a move that will help the cities grow.

Last week, the state took their side.

The Environmental Management Commission, in a 13-1 vote, said the two cities could take up to 10 million gallons a day from each of the rivers.

Catawba Valley cities and towns object, disputing the commission’s finding that transferring the water would not harm the rivers, even in a drought.

Here’s how the decision will affect Cabarrus County.

–Breathing room: The water transfer buys time for Concord and Kannapolis planners. Without the transfer, the cities would have started facing water shortages in about 18 months, said Concord City Manager Brian Hiatt.

If the commission had approved the cities’ original request of 36 million gallons a day, no shortfall would have been expected for 30 years, Hiatt said.

The compromise of 10 million gallons per day means major water challenges will likely occur within 20 to 30 years, he said.

–At a price: A growing population causes water system costs to increase, even when there’s not a shortage. Add the fact local governments will purchase water that has already been treated in plants by other municipalities, and residents should expect water bills to increase.

Concord leaders could not say when prices would rise or by how much.

“Water is always going to be more expensive here because we’re dependent on our neighbors,” Concord Mayor Scott Padgett said.

–Lawyer up: There are still legal hurdles. Local government leaders in the Catawba basin have said they at least plan to appeal the decision to a state administrative law judge. S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster has promised to sue.

The good news for Concord and Kannapolis leaders is they likely would not have to pay legal costs for defending the decision. The N.C. Attorney General’s office would pay for attorneys, since it would be defending the vote of a state commission.

–Change the law? Sen. Austin Allran, a Hickory Republican, said Catawba Valley lawmakers will likely try to change state laws regarding water transfers, though he didn’t spell out details. Lawmakers can start working on changes when the legislature convenes Jan. 24.

Proposals batted around earlier would require local governments to get a state permit to draw municipal water. Right now, most water is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

N.C. Sen. Dan Clodfelter, a Charlotte Democrat, chairs an advisory commission studying issues affecting the Catawba basin. He said two weeks ago it’s “bizarre” that a community with authority from the commission to transfer water has more of a right to water than the community where the water is located.

Clodfelter and Allran could work with Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight of Manteo, the state’s most powerful lawmaker, to suggest changes.

Sharif Durhams: 704-786-2185

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Copyright (c) 2007, The Charlotte Observer, N.C.

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