Updated 04/18/2008 07:33 AM
Raleigh ready to "Slow the Flow"
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RALEIGH -- The city of Raleigh isn't asking residents to stop using water, just watch how much they use.
"Water conservation is a really important part of our environmental consciousness. Like energy conservation, it's something we need to work on every year, not just in the middle of a drought but really all the time," said Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker.
On Thursday, city leaders officially introduced Raleigh's public education campaign, "Slow the Flow: Save some for later".
The campaign will show folks how to save water and will use public service announcements and the internet to get the word out.
"I think people have really learned a lot in the last few months with the drought situation that we had. And I think the people need to understand just how complex the water situation is," said Nancy McFarland, co-chair of the Water Conservation Council
So complex, that the area is still in a drought -- even though Falls Lake is now full.
A recent poll conducted by OnPoint Polling and Research shows that registered voters in the Triangle are not only aware of the water shortage, but they're also taking measures to make sure they save water.
Added Council Member At-Large Mary-Anne Baldwin, "Last year at this time our lake was full and during the summer last year the lake was depleted because there was no rain so we can't be certain what's going to happen."
And a recent poll conducted by OnPoint Polling and Research shows that registered voters in the Triangle are not only aware of the water shortage, but they're also taking measures to make sure they save water.
Of 512 people polled, 82 percent said they knew about the water shortage, while 11 percent said they didn't. Of that same group, the survey found that 93 percent of Triangle residents have been shortening how much water they use.
City leaders say these high numbers are a jump start to a better future.
"Current water usage is 15-20 percent less than it was this day last year. Our citizens have been very careful," concluded Mayor Meeker.
The website -- which is also interactive -- is expected to launch within the next month to six weeks.