Enacts new GS 143-350.1 to declare it is the state's intent to use and manage water resources efficiently and productively. Amends GS 143-355(l), which concerns local water supply plans, to add that a local government unit or large community water system must also include a local water efficiency plan in the revised plan. Enacts GS 143-355(11) to detail the items contained in a local water efficiency plan. Enacts subdivision (8) to GS 143-355.4(b), requiring a local government unit or a large community system to implement a water fixture and appliance retrofit and incentive program to be eligible for state water infrastructure funds. Enacts subdivision (14) to GS 159-52(a), allowing the Local Government Commission to consider whether a local government unit has implemented a water fixture and appliance retrofit and incentive program. Enacts new subsection (d) to GS 159G-36, which describes limits on water infrastructure loans and grants, to specify that not less than 20% of the Drinking Water Reserve will be used for loans or grants for projects that meet the water use reduction goals for local government units included in local water efficiency plans.
Directs the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to provide statewide outreach and technical assistance related to water efficiency, including best management practices addressing at least eight enumerated practices. Directs the State Water Infrastructure Commission (Commission), in consultation with specified entities, to examine the impacts and benefits of water conservation and efficiency on utilities and users and develop recommendations for mitigating financial impacts and for assuring sustainable revenues. Directs the Commission and the NC Utilities Commission to develop recommendations for electric utility and water utility coordination and to report to the Environmental Review Commission annually, with the first report due before November 1, 2014. Directs the Building Code Council to develop, by June 30, 2014, adopt, and publish a rule functionally equivalent to the Water Efficiency Provisions of the International Green Construction Code, applicable to both residential and commercial structures, effective January 1, 2015. Requires any newly constructed multiunit residential, commercial, or retail building that is the subject of a building permit issued on or after January 1, 2015, to be constructed to enable a government unit or public water system to measure the water use of each building unit.
Effective October 1, 2013.