Agenda - 01-27-2009 - 2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 Jordan Lake Partnership - Draft Memorandum of Understanding Background and Key Issues —January 2009 • Background The drought of 2007-08 caused many area water providers and local governments to re-examine their long-term planning for water supplies. Inevitably, discussion eventually turned to the largest water supply impoundment in the Triangle, Jordan Lake, and its potential role in meeting long-term needs. It was noted that a partnership effort among the interested jurisdictions might be more prudent, if Jordan Lake's remaining water supply allocation was to be discussed with the State. In February 2008, a group of water utility directors from the western and northern ends of Jordan Lake met with the NC Division of Water Resources to discuss Jordan Lake and the potential for a coordinated water intake and allocations from the lake's storage. The concept of a regional cooperative met with positive reaction from the State officials, and a working group of local government and utility staffs began meeting in June to discuss the opportunities and challenges of a coordinated exploration of Jordan Lake water use. It was noted that, due to the geographical and hydrologic nature of the region, Jordan Lake and its remaining safe yield of potential drinking water represents the last major water supply investment in the region. Approximately 63 million gallons per day (mgd) of the total calculated safe yield of 100 mgd has been allocated to date. Of this current allocation, Orange County currently holds a Level II allocation of 1.0 mgd for future use (OWASA holds a 5.0 mgd Level II allocation at present). The working group was coordinated and funded by the City of Durham, which hired the firm of FountainWorks to facilitate the group discussions and prepare materials. The group included representatives from Durham, OWASA, Chatham County, Cary, Triangle J COG and Orange County. Over several meetings in the summer of 2008, the working group identified potential goals, obstacles, challenges, issues and benefits of coordinated planning for the future use of Jordan Lake as a water supply. These discussions included a recognized need to ensure long-term sustainable use of the resource and the related ties to sound land-use planning that should result from any additional water capacity provided. At the working group meetings, in a briefing for area managers in August, and finally at the Assembly of Governments meeting in September 2008, this issue was mentioned on all occasions by Orange County jurisdictions as a critical component of any collaborative effort. And in fact, the original project goal itself is built around this concept: To create a secure and sustainable water supply while emphasizing strong conservation, growth management, and a regional water supply plan.