The Carroll County commissioners agreed yesterday to support a set of countywide recommendations as part of a continuing effort to conserve water.

"We really do view this as a countywide problem, and the solution needs to be countywide, too," said Marge Wolf, Westminster's city administrator and a member of the committee that developed the conservation measures.

The proposals include: adopting a countywide approach in imposing voluntary restrictions, instead of separate county and municipal policies and practices; offering a rebate, credit and incentive program to encourage conservation; creating landscaping plans that factor in the potential for recurring drought; and having utilities review their water-rate structure annually to reward less use and penalize excessive use.

"The current rate structures really do not encourage either conservation or judicious use of the water," Wolf said.

The committee also suggested that the county look into adding a staff member who specializes in water conservation.

"We would like to make water conservation a normal practice, not something that's done when we have to do it, when it's mandatory," said Tom Devilbiss, deputy director of planning for the county. "We want to make it something [so] that ... there's a certain level of water conservation you do just as a normal part of your life."

The recommendations, which emerged from a six-month study by a committee of the county's environmental advisory council, come about a year after a summit on county water issues.

The committee consists of members of the council and representatives from county, municipal and school staffs, among others.

A resolution tied to the first recommendation - to be approved by the eight municipalities and county commissioners - was also presented to the board, and calls for a "Voluntary Water Conservation Stage" between April 1 and Oct. 1 this year. During that period, voluntary water conservation measures would be taken, such as reducing sprinkler and outdoor water use, limiting the washing of paved surfaces and vehicles, and turning off water while shaving, shampooing or brushing one's teeth.

"We hope it will raise the whole level of awareness of the water," Wolf said.

The proposed measures and resolution will next be presented to each municipality, Wolf said.

The commissioners expressed their appreciation for the proposals.

"This is great," Commissioner Julia Walsh Gouge said. "It's for the benefit of everyone and really for the future of the county."

arin.gencer@baltsun.com