N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-215.12: Declaration of purpose.

It is hereby declared that the general welfare and public interest require that the water resources of the State be put to beneficial use to the fullest extent to which they are capable, subject to reasonable regulation in order to conserve these resources and to provide and maintain conditions which are conducive to the development and use of water resources. (1967, c. 933, s. 2.)