§ 143-355.8.  Regional water supply planning organizations.

(a) One or more water systems may establish a water supply planning organization to plan for and coordinate water resource supply and demand on a regional basis. A water supply planning organization may include representatives of local government water systems, water authorities, nongovernmental water systems, and registered water withdrawers.

(b) A regional water supply planning organization may do any of the following:

(1) Identify sources of raw water supply for regional systems.

(2) Identify areas suitable for the development of new regional water sources.

(3) Identify opportunities for purchase and sale of water between water systems to meet regional water supply needs.

(4) Prepare joint water supply plans.

(5) Enter into agreements with the Department for technical assistance in identifying practical alternatives to meet regional water supply needs pursuant to G.S. 143-355.7 or to provide studies in support of a proposed regional water supply project.

(6) Support cooperative arrangements between water systems for purchase and sale of water by providing technical assistance and voluntary mediation of disputes concerning water supply.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter the requirements for obtaining a certificate for an interbasin transfer. (2011-374, s. 1.2.)