the freshwater lens. Then the water will go 

 through a process to remove the salt. 



At a cost of $8 million to $10 million, the plant 

 is scheduled for completion in 1989. It will in- 

 crease the region's water capacity by 8 million 

 gallons a day. 



Desalination is nothing new. In water-poor 

 countries such as Saudi Arabia, desalination is 

 often the only alternative. 



But it's an expensive alternative. Nags Head's 

 reverse osmosis plant may raise the cost of 1,000 

 gallons of water from 72 cents to an estimated 

 $1.30, Fuller says. 



Farther south, the Cape Hatteras Water Associa- 

 tion supplies water to FHatteras, Frisco, Buxton 

 and Avon. In addition to expanding its pumping 

 capacity, the association has taken steps to con- 

 serve its water supply by limiting development in 

 its well fields. 



Jack Rollinson, manager of the association, says 

 it's more than a problem of too many people, too 

 little water. 



Some folks just don't realize that water is a 

 premium. 



Rollinson has responded with a campaign to in- 

 crease awareness of the water shortage. He sup- 

 plies his customers with conservation tips in their 



monthly bills. And some realtors have cooperated 

 by handing out packets of information to tourists. 



While managers grapple with day-to-day sup- 

 plies, scientists are learning more about 

 groundwater. 



At the U.S. Geological Survey, hydrologists are 

 using computer models to simulate groundwater 

 flow. 



With an accurate model, they may be able to 

 predict how much water we'll have for the future, 

 says hydrologist William Lyke. 



But the bottom line of the groundwater issue 

 may be how much we're willing to pay for water. 



John Kuchnia, of the N.C. Division of Water 

 Resources, says, "We've had cheap water for so 

 long that people can't believe it costs this much. 

 They'll pay $50 or $60 for cable TV, but let their 

 water bill go up a dollar, and they'll be calling to 

 complain." 



Whatever the price, hydrologists say we're going 

 to have to learn to sip instead of guzzle. 



