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Discussion Paper -- Jordan Lake Options for OWASA <br />December 18, 1998 <br />Page 5 <br />OWASA and Chatham County have agreed to establish an emergency only finished water interconnection <br />along U.S. 15-501 at the Orange County line. Chatham has already invested $120,000 to extend its 16- <br />inch pipeline to the OWASA system. This emergency only interconnection will provide long-term benefit <br />to both parties. <br />What is OWASA's recommendation? <br />OWASA believes there would be substantial environmental, technical, and economic benefits from <br />collaborating with Chatham County to develop a regional raw water intake system at Jordan Lake, even <br />though OWASA is not expected to need Jordan Lake water for at least ten years (this estimate is currently <br />being refined through OWASA's Comprehensive Water and Sewer Master Plan project). OWASA does <br />not propose participating in the joint development of pumping and transmission facilities from Jordan <br />Lake to OWASA at this time due to the high costs and relative absence of short term need. There may be <br />an opportunity to make a portion of OWASA's Jordan Lake property available for Chatham County to <br />use in pumping raw water to its own treatment plant. Additional engineering analysis is needed to more <br />fully evaluate these opportunities. <br />The OWASA Boazd of Directors believes that it is highly desirable that the March 1999 follow-up <br />meeting with local governments and the OWASA Boazd be scheduled as suggested during the October 1, <br />1998 Joint Meeting. Given the range of collaborative arrangements that presently exist or aze possible for <br />the future, it would be beneficial for all parties to establish and reinforce a strong constructive partnership <br />with Chatham County at the eazliest opportunity. <br />Whatever the outcome of future meetings of Chatham County officials with their counterparts from <br />Orange County, OWASA staff should maintain close communications with Chatham County engineering <br />personnel to monitor the development of the Chatham water supply and distribution system and to <br />identify opportunities for technical cooperation. <br /> <br />Dan C. VanderMeer <br />Chairman <br />