THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 27, 1995 TAG: 9509270481
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: COROLLA LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
A deal to buy water from Dare County may be dead, but Currituck County officials told residents Monday night that the search is not over.
In fact, the county is looking into constructing a reverse osmosis plant.
``We're not going to let our people go without water,'' Commissioner Gene Gregory told a crowd of about 100 that jammed into the county's satellite office. ``We realize what kind of shape this county is in when it comes to water.''
Commission Chairman Ernie Bowden of Corova Beach also sought to reassure Currituck's Outer Banks residents that solutions will be found. He said the county has consulted with experts on reverse osmosis facilities.
``We are aware that this is the main issue for this area,'' Bowden said. ``We have discussed the possibility of a reverse osmosis plant. . . . Please don't think we've put this baby to sleep.''
Currituck County officials had been negotiating to buy 160,000 gallons of water per day from Dare County. Those talks fell apart largely because of conditions sought by Currituck that were unacceptable to its southern neighbor. Primarily, commissioners wanted water for all Currituck beach communities, not just the Spindrift, Currituck Club and Pine Island developments.
If Currituck County builds a desaltation facility, a likely source for water would be the nearby Currituck Sound. However, Bowden said, that could present its own set of difficulties.
``Saltwater overwash could causesome problems,'' said Bowden. Pollution from foreign sources also could ruin the supply.
``Nature is something we can't control. If we have a storm like we did in '62, or '44 or the Ash Wednesday Storm, we will have some problems,'' he said.
The highest hurdle, however, is the lack of adequate land for a water plant.
``Currituck County doesn't own any land to build a plant,'' Bowden said.
Commissioner Paul O'Neal said that he would favor a two-pronged solution to the water problem.
``I'd like to help the people who live on the south end of the county, as well as the Currituck beaches,'' O'Neal said. ``I'd like to see us take that kind of approach.''
Residents voiced concerns about other issues, including difficulties in transporting children from Currituck Beach communities to county schools. Some children have to get up as early as 3:30 a.m. to make it to school, parents said.
Charlie Poole of Corova Beach said he takes five children by boat to school daily. He said residents approached school officials a year ago about the problem, but have received no response. Commissioners promised to review the situation.
Other areas of concern:
Law enforcement: Residents requested increases in the number of deputies and increased patrols in the area. Two deputies have been added, but residents say that is not enough. Crowding on beaches and the lack of public facilities also were discussed.
Emergency Medical Services: The number of calls to Currituck EMTs increased by more than 80 percent last summer. Residents asked for more paid emergency medical personnel.
Trash dumping and bonfire problems: Corolla has adopted a system to control bonfires, but no such regulation exists in other areas.
The crowd at the Monday night meeting spilled from the room and onto the adjoining porch. Those outside listened through open windows.
The gathering was the latest in a series of town meetings. Others are scheduled in the mainland communities of Moyock and Sligo. by CNB