Wake County is in the midst of crafting a long-term vision for its water resources, acknowledging pressures from escalating populations and the increasing intensity of storms, as outlined in the county's draft of the 50-year One Water Plan, which is currently open for public feedback. In a recent release, Donald Mial, vice chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners, emphasized the plan's comprehensive nature, declaring, "This plan looks at how Wake County will manage all aspects of our water, including drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and groundwater, while aligning with future growth, development and transportation," and he appealed to residents, urging them to review the draft and voice their insights by the October 10 deadline to ensure it encapsulates the community's needs and concerns, as per the Wake County's announcement.
Addressing the water needs of over 1.1 million residents—where the majority dwell within the municipal water systems, and tens of thousands depend on private wells or privately owned community water systems—the One Water Plan confronts the projected rise in demand for potable water and the environmental challenges of hotter temperatures, severe storms, flooding, and pollution that jeopardize the integrity of the water systems, the expanding population in Wake County, which includes more than 1.1 million residents and with about 1 million already on municipal water systems, the demand for clean water will only continue to soar as the county confronts hot temperatures, violent storms, and periods of drought that facilitate runoff, surges of flooding, and contaminants.
Central to the One Water Plan are four principal strategies: optimizing the water supply via joint infrastructure planning and the endorsement of water reuse and groundwater safeguarding; enhancing water quality and managing flows with natural tools like rain gardens and wetlands; embracing the preservation of agricultural lands and natural settings that buttress thriving ecosystems and water systems; and, constructing flood resilience through infrastructure designed to better manage stormwater and severe weather events. The iterative planning process, spearheaded by the county yet supported by municipalities and community partners, hinged on over two years of technical assessments, stakeholder involvement, and public consultation to marry the recommended strategies with the community's vision and conditions.
With the motto of the One Water approach being the integrated management of all water types—including drinking, rain, wastewater, and groundwater as a cohesive unit—the county's initiative aims to strike a balance among the necessities of residents, businesses, agriculture, and the environment, through an articulation of an ecological harmony that is equitable and sustainable in the outlook it offers Wake County. Those interested in examining the draft plan or providing feedback can access the full document and a public comment form through Wake.gov/OneWaterPlan, Wake County collaborated with consultants like Tetra Tech, Hazen & Sawyer and Research Triangle Institute to shape the One Water Plan, which is now seeking the public's valued perspectives before it finalizes a blueprint that is expected to be both dynamic and reflective of the public interest.
