Water bills became private in 2001

Public records become private in three ways.

1) The legislature makes them private on purpose, such as when it decided to keep public hospital salaries private. 2) Vague or confusing language is misinterpreted. 3) Legislators intend to exempt one thing, but end up exempting others.

The state's water bills are an example. In 2001, the legislature changed a bill to allow public electric co-operatives to keep their billing accounts private.

The change was meant to allow them to compete with private electric companies, which do not have to reveal their records. But the legislation was so broad it exempted water bills.

Now, during the worst drought in North Carolina history, that exemption is making it harder for reporters and others to learn how how water much big business and even individual homes are wasting. (N&O)