During a drought forum hosted by the School of Public Health, panel members spoke to more than 40 students, faculty and community members in the Rosenau Hall Auditorium.
The panel included Larry Band, Department of Geography chairman; Brian Billman, anthropology professor; Ray DuBose, UNC facility maintenance director; Ed Kerwin, executive director of OWASA; David Moreau, professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning; and Cynthia Shea, sustainability coordinator for UNC.
Each member expressed similar opinions -- the drought is serious, and both the University and the community's response must be equally serious.
"Every day we set a new record low," Kerwin said. "Our reservoirs are at around 34 percent, and there is virtually no water flowing in."
With only 140 days of water available and little relief in sight, OWASA will begin discussing new alternatives as early as Thursday night.
"We are considering possibly purchasing some water from neighbors who are not as bad off as us," Kerwin said. "These include Cary, via Durham, and Chatham County."
Other options include exploring the use of reclaimed water, increasing public awareness efforts and implementing an incentive program for community members willing to install new, more efficient toilets.
The University also recently unveiled a new conservation campaign, "Every Drop Counts," which placed posters and stickers in classrooms and residence halls, Shea said.
To supplement the massive publicity campaign, residence halls will be encouraged to participate in Water Wars, a conservation competition to begin Oct. 23.
