Territorial politics are threatening to dilute a long-overdue effort to establish a statewide water policy. We can't wait for another drought to establish some sensible, universal guidelines.

Gov. Mike Easley wants to give future governors more authority to avert a water crisis; many cities and counties are worried about losing control over their water systems. The Honorables, eager to get out of town and start campaigning for re-election, have yet to take up the measure.

Spring rains apparently have washed away the urgency with which local and state officials, as well as the public, greeted last year's drought.

While no community ran out of water, several feared they might if the drought continued much longer. Negotiations between cities over water sharing went nowhere. That's why a statewide approach is important.

The governor already has considerable power in a state of emergency, but as last year's drought illustrated, that power can't be invoked until after we're already parched. By then, it may be too late.

The drought provided just a glimpse of the crisis that could befall North Carolina during a severe water shortage. While many municipalities acted responsibly and imposed mandatory conservation measures, others let the water keep flowing, urging only "voluntary" restrictions.

Meaning none at all.

Even the mandatory ban on lawn watering, car washing and other nonessential uses wasn't well enforced most places. At least it got people thinking about the need to conserve our most precious resource. That shouldn't wait until there's a shortage.

Droughts aren't the only threat to our water supply. North Carolina is growing, and the new residents and businesses demand more and more water.

Cities and counties that run their own water systems are protective of their control, and understandably so. Some of their concerns will probably be worked into the bill that observers expect to come out of the General Assembly this year.

It almost certainly will be inadequate. The Honorables ought to work in earnest next year on a comprehensive water policy that promotes conservation 365 days a year, regardless of what the rainfall gauge says.

Water belongs to all North Carolinians. We shouldn't wait for desperate times to conserve a resource that we literally can't live without.