WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE
Water literally touches every aspect of our lives. Our bodies need clean water to function. Water is a major food source. Water even provides recreational opportunities that are crucial to our quality of life in the Sandhills. Our well-being is truly dependent on accessible, viable, dependable and affordable water sources. However, threats such as aging infrastructure and emerging chemical contaminants in our waterways are causes for concern in our region.
Sustainable Sandhills is striving to protect potable water sources by researching the impacts of threats on our waterways, educating communities about protecting our waterways and mitigating threats and advocating for legislation that prevents the pollutions of our rivers, lakes and oceans.
We participate in the NC State University GenX Study, Cape Fear Coalition and NC PFAS Task Force, all of which draw partners from across the state to research and monitor forever chemicals, advocate for stricter regulations on pollutant dischargers, fight against untenable interbasin transfers, and educate our community about water pollution, mitigation measures and means to protect their health and our environment.
WATER RESOURCES
OUR POSITION ON DATA CENTERS
As our society relies more and more on technology, data centers will become more and more prolific. They are inevitable. But, our communities must protect our people and our planet from the harmful impacts of data centers on our health and environment.
We aren’t naive enough to believe that data centers will never come to the Sandhills. We do, however, implore our municipalities to require stringent environmental regulations on data centers.
We ask that permits for data centers include the following provisions.
All data centers must generate their own electricity through technologies such as renewable energy systems and microgrids, or pay for their use of municipal power including the costs of infrastructure so that utility customers do not suffer higher rates. All data centers must develop and implement energy conservation and efficiency plans.
All data centers must develop and implement water conservation and efficiency plans; use reclaimed “gray” water and closed loop systems so that they do not deplete our potable water supply or discharge chemicals into our wastewater.
All data centers must develop and implement plans to use environmentally sound materials in their design, construction and operation. All data centers must provide for the proper disposal of electronic waste to prevent plastics, heavy metals and chemicals from contaminating our land, air and water.
All data centers must develop and implement plans to prevent emissions of particulate matter, gaseous materials and volatile organic compounds that can impact our air quality. All data centers must have air quality monitors installed and online for the duration of their operation and implement plans to reduce emissions if air quality is impacted.
All data centers must have means to prevent noise pollution in surrounding communities. All data centers must install sound barriers to protect neighborhoods in their vicinity from noise pollution.
All data centers must have means to prevent light pollution in surrounding communities.
All data centers must be sited with the health, comfort and quality of life of residents in mind – especially in communities with vulnerable populations that already experience environmental threats.
All data center permits must include clear sanctions on operations that violate permit regulations, fail to reduce their impacts on natural resources, and/or harm the communities where they are sited.
SUSTAINABLE SANDHILLS OFFERS FREE WATER TESTING
Concerned about the chemicals in your water? Sustainable Sandhills is offering FREE water testing to residents in our reach area.
We have a limited number of tests, so register HERE. A representative from Sustainable Sandhills will come to your property at a scheduled time to collect a sample of your well water or tap water. Testing is first come, first serve while supplies last.
SUSTAINABLE SANDHILLS SUPPORTS FY27 RIVER BUDGET
Sustainable Sandhills is one of over 200 organizations across America to support the Fiscal Year 2027 River Budget. The budget urges decision-makers in Congress to prioritize healthy rivers as a national imperative and advances key priorities across the United States Department of Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of Agriculture , the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The priorities include prioritizing water infrastructure, enhancing flood mitigation strategies and protecting water sheds.