Note:  See the Coastal Resources and Marine Fisheries chapter for sources of information on coastal water quality and marine fisheries.

GOVERNMENT:

		STATE:

N.C. Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources (DEHNR):

Environmental Health Division 
(P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh 27611-7687; 919/733-2870):  
	Works to protect public health and the environment through regulation, technical assistance, training, and public education on topics related to environmental health.  Many of its rules are enforced by local health departments which receive delegation of authority, training, and technical assistance from the Division.  Maintains a database of wastewater treatment plant monthly operation reports.

	On-Site Subsurface Sewage Inspection Section 
(P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh 27611-7687; 919/733-2895):  
	Regulates sewage systems which discharge underground.  Approves plans for systems processing more than 3,000 gallons per day, sites for septic systems, and innovative septic systems.  Trains environmental health specialists and wastewater operators.

	Public Water Supply Section 
(P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh 27611-7687; 919/733-2321):  
	Works to ensure that the water provided by public water systems is available in adequate quantities and is safe to drink.  Regulates contaminant levels in public water supplies; approves construction plans for public water systems, well sites for public water systems, and surface water sources; handles emergencies; and trains waterworks operators.  Houses the public water system inventory and maintains a database of public water systems' compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act, which includes information on bacteriological, fecal, inorganic and organic chemical, and radiological contaminant levels.

Environmental Management Division 
(P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh 27626-0535; 919/733-7015):  
	Conducts comprehensive planning and management of the state's surface water and groundwater resources (also air resources).  Issues pollution control permits, monitors permit compliance, evaluates environmental quality, and enforces environmental regulations.

	Groundwater Section:  
Promotes groundwater restoration and wise use.  Works to prevent groundwater pollution and to respond to contamination when it occurs.  Responsible for groundwater classification and standards; enforcement of protection standards, monitoring, and cleanup requirements; review of wastewater discharge permits; well construction rules; underground injection control; underground storage tank regulation; and wellhead protection program development.  Maintains databases of information on groundwater levels, sources, quality, contamination incidents; permitted injection wells; and permitted non-discharge waste disposal systems.

	Water Quality Section:  
Conducts surface water quality monitoring, permitting, planning, and modeling.  Works to control surface water pollution from point and nonpoint sources.  Issues permits for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES).  Maintains databases of information on NPDES permitted wastewater discharges; water monitoring; High Quality Waters and Outstanding Resource Waters; lakes, ponds, millponds, and reservoirs; Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs); fish communities; and concentrations of heavy metals and synthetic and organic chemicals in fish tissues.  Biennially publishes a 305B Water Quality Progress in North Carolina Report which assesses waters in terms of biology and chemistry.  The report includes surface water, groundwater, and water pollution control data.  

Epidemiology Division - Environmental Epidemiology Section - Pesticide Program 
(P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh 27611-7687; 919/733-3410):  
	Maintains a database of private well pesticide contamination reports.  Tests well water for pesticide contamination and makes recommendations for clean-up through county extension agents.

Soil and Water Conservation Division 
(P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh 27611-7687; 919/733-2302):  
	Works to conserve soil and water resources.    

	Agriculture Non-Point Source Pollution Control Section (commonly known as the Agriculture Cost-Share Section):  
Responsible for the voluntary adoption of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to control agricultural non-point source pollution.  Administers N.C. Agriculture Cost-Share funds to farmland owners to install conservation measures which protect water quality.

	Programs Section:  
Coordinates the activities of the 94 local Soil and Water Conservation Districts across N.C.  Serves as staff for the N.C. Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

	Watershed Planning Section:  
Responsible for watershed planning, soil surveys, and wetlands inventorying.  Supports the planning and implementation of Public Law 566 Small Watershed Projects under the Soil Conservation Service, U.S.D.A., which address community-wide natural resource problems such as flooding and erosion.  Collects and classifies soils data and prepares county soil survey reports; works closely with the U.S. Soil Conservation Service in this regard.  Approximately 84% of the state's land area is mapped, and mapping of all privately-owned land is estimated to be completed by the year 2000.

Solid Waste Management Division 
(P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh 27611; 919/733-4996):  
	Maintains a database of information on water monitoring on ponds, lagoons, waste piles, and landfill dump sites.  (See larger entry in the Hazardous and Radioactive Substances and Wate, Solid Waste, and Recycling chapter.)

Water Resources Division 
(P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh 27611-7687; 919/733-4064):  
	Conducts programs concerning river basin management, water supply, water conservation, navigation, stream clearance, flood control, beach protection, aquatic weed control, hydroelectric power, and recreational uses of water.  Serves as the state liaison to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and manages state financial assistance for water resources development projects.  Maintains databases of information regarding the distribution of Hydrilla, an aquatic plant, and instream flow recommendations.

	Hydrology and Management Section:  
Researches reservoir, river basin, and aquifer water resources.  Evaluates surface and ground water resources and provides technical assistance to local governments and other water users on water management problems.  Coordinates the U.S. Geological Survey/DEHNR Cooperative Program, including the surface water stream gage and ground water monitoring well networks.  Maintains a database of hydrolic information (streamflow, precipitation, groundwater levels, etc.).

	Water Resources Planning Section:  
Plans water resources development projects and distributes funds to local governments for them.  Performs instream flow studies, controls nuisance aquatic weeds, and studies water management problems.  Coordinates the Stream Watch Program and N.C. Rivers Month.

	Water Supply Assistance Section:  
Responsible for the State Water Supply Plan and the registration of surface water withdrawals and transfers.  Provides public water supply system operators with evaluations of existing water supply systems and future demands; recommendations on new sources of water supply; and information on sources of financial assistance, water conservation techniques, and methods of detecting wasteful water leaks.  Maintains databases of information on water supplies and water use information pertaining to irrigation, self-supplied industries, and public water systems.

Environmental Management Commission 
(P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh 27626-0535; 919/733-7015):  
	Forms policies and rules for the Divisions of Environmental Management, Water Resources, and Land Resources.  Adopts rules for air quality standards, emission control standards, and classifications for air contaminant sources; for water quality standards and classifications; for the implementation of water and air quality reporting; and for governing underground tanks used for storing hazardous substances or oil.  Grants and revokes permits in regard to dam construction and air and water pollution control; provides technical assistance; and declares pollution emergencies.  Comprised of 17 members.  

N.C. Office of State Planning - State Data Center 
(116 W. Jones St., Raleigh 27603-8003; 919/733-4131):  
	Published Statistical Abstract of North Carolina Counties (1991), a collection of tables and figures, many of which are broken down by county.  The book includes data on water usage by type and water sources for year-round housing units.  Available in many libraries.  Data now available on the online database LINC (Log Into North Carolina), operated by the Center.

Pollution Prevention Advisory Council 
(512 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh 27604-1148; 919/733-4984):  
	Evaluates laws, rules, regulations, and needs pertaining to pollution prevention for water, air, and solid and hazardous waste.  Will make policy recommendations to the General Assembly in April 1994 and is scheduled to dissolve one year later.  Comprised of 14 members.

Water Conservation Commission 
(P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh 27611-7687; 919/733-2302):  
	Adopts rules and regulations to be followed in the development and implementation of a soil and water conservation program.  Comprised of seven members.

		UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYSTEM:

UNC Water Resources Research Institute 
(N.C. State University, Raleigh; 919/515-2815):  
	Conducts research on N.C. surface waters, groundwater, and urban water management.  Motivates and supports research by other scientists and provides for technology transfer.  Works closely with N.C. DEHNR and other agencies.  Organizes conferences, seminars, and workshops.  Publishes reports, newsletters, and fact sheets (on major river basins, principal aquifers, water conservation with low-flush toilets, home water treatment devices, water resources, and water use).  Publication list available.

Western Carolina University Center for Improving Mountain Living 
(Bird Bldg., Cullowhee 28723; 704/227-7492):  
	Provides research, technical assistance, and education to western N.C. on natural resource management including water quality and use.

		FEDERAL:

National Marine Fisheries Service - Habitat Conservation Division 
(Pivers Island, Beaufort 28516; 919/728-5090):  
	Reviews permit applications for the alteration of wetlands and makes recommendations regarding marine fisheries habitats to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Wilmington District:  
	Reviews permit applications for doing any construction work, other alterations, or dumping in the waters of N.C., their tributaries, or wetlands (under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act).  Issues permits after considering recommendations made by state and federal agencies.

	Regulatory Branch:  P.O. Box 1890, Wilmington 28402-1890; 910/251-4511
	Regulatory Field Offices:
•  6512 Falls of Neuse Rd., Ste. 105, Raleigh 27615; 919/876-8441
•  Grove Arcade Bldg., Rm. 75, 37 Battery Park Ave., Asheville 28801-2714; 704/271-4855
•  P.O. Box 1000, Washington 27889-1000; 919/975-3123