RALEIGH, N.C. – Top state officials are urging North Carolina residents to maintain strict water conservation efforts, warning that a recent wave of heavy rain has not yet undone the damage of a prolonged, months-long drought. “I encourage North Carolinians to check their local water system’s conservation status and do their part to use water wisely.” According to reporting from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the year-long dry spell previously dragged state water levels down to record lows. As of late July, 70 water systems across North Carolina are enforcing mandatory water restrictions, and another 68 systems have voluntary conservation measures in place. Under state guidelines, water systems in the hardest-hit extreme and exceptional areas must implement their Water Shortage Response Plans, enforce water use reductions, and report their usage data weekly online.