RALEIGH, N.C. — The director of Raleigh's public utilities says growth was not the problem in last year's water shortage.

Dale Crisp told The News & Observer of Raleigh he'll tell a meeting of regional water managers Tuesday the drought alone was responsible for the problem.

Crisp says he'll tell water managers they did a fine job in managing the shortage.

He says there are lessons from the dry weather. Crisp says the region needs to do a better job managing the use of drinking water for outside watering. He also says more needs to be done to educate the public about Raleigh's long-term water supply plan.

The forum will focus on long-term water strategies and how the region's major utilities can cooperate.

Raleigh and Durham officials were criticized by some residents for responding too slowly last year.

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