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interconnections with other jurisdictions to get interim expansion of the water supply. The City <br />of Durham has been looking at ways to improve the portability of water and sewer operations for <br />its existing customer base. Chatham County and Durham had discussions about establishing <br />an interconnection, and Chatham County submitted a grant proposal to the state under the <br />Revolving Loan and Grant Program for water facilities. This is the Clean Water Responsibility <br />Act with the bond provisions that passed. Chatham County received notice of grant reward for <br />that project and is preparing to get the design and regulatory approvals in place to establish a <br />major interconnection with the City of Durham's water distribution system. He said this <br />interconnection could buy Chatham County a few years' time for their water supply. He said <br />Chatham County hopes that the issue regarding the Jordan Lake partnership could be worked <br />out within the next five to seven years. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that the frustrating thing for him is the fact that he sat on this <br />Board in 1990 when the watershed protection measures were discussed and put in place. The <br />County Commissioners were trying to be good stewards of the land and protect and preserve <br />the watershed. The Board asked Durham County to put the same protection measures in place, <br />but they decided not to do so. He feels that if he were giving direction to OWASA, he would say <br />to back off and not get involved with water issues of other jurisdictions. <br />Commissioner Brown asked if OWASA has any relationship with Chatham County in <br />providing water to them. <br />Ed Kerwin said that they have an emergency-only interconnection. Beyond that, it has <br />been discussion and information gathering only. <br />Bernadette Pelissier said that it needs to be made very clear that even though there is a <br />master plan, that OWASA does not need to make any decision in the short term. If Chatham <br />County has a short timetable, she is not interested in making a decision and she feels that the <br />timetables need to be questioned. <br />Commissioner Brown made reference to the watershed protection efforts of the County <br />Commissioners. She would like to see OWASA continue protecting the watersheds and use <br />their resources to protect and preserve the resources of Orange County. <br />Commissioner Jacobs sees this as an opportunity for Orange County, since there is a <br />commitment to watershed protection. If it is a longer process, then it is a good opportunity to tie <br />anything that is on the west bank to the watershed protection standards that are presently in <br />place. Orange County's interest is that this be done in an environmentally sound manner. This <br />would give an opportunity to help other jurisdictions to pursue watershed protection. If there is <br />going to be development in Chatham County or anywhere else in the Jordan Lake watershed, it <br />should be done in a way that is suitable. <br />Peter Gordon said that the focal question in the meeting a year ago was if there should be <br />strings attached to OWASA for allowing their land to be used. He feels it is important to get the <br />issue out there again. He does not want OWASA to get caught in the middle between Orange <br />County and Chatham County government. <br />Chair Gordon said that it appears that solving this water supply problem is not urgent this <br />year. She asked if it was in OWASA's best interest to pursue this issue. She asked why <br />OWASA was not going to wait until the master plan was finished. <br />Peter Gordon said that from OWASA's perspective it would be to their benefit to wait a few <br />years to have this discussion. <br />Commissioner Brown asked about the University Lake watershed in Chatham County and <br />if it has been built out. <br />Craig Benedict said that he heard that more than half of the watershed has been <br />developed. He needs to get clarification on this. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked what would happen if it did not cost OWASA any money, but <br />that they let Chatham County use the site and let somebody else develop the intake. By using <br />the site, OWASA would build some kind of equity in the facility. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis feels that there would not be a situation that did not involve <br />money. He does not feel comfortable with this.