Agenda - 01-24-2012 - 4a - Laserfiche WebLink

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LJlld• January 9, 2012 ORANGE WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY A public, non-profit agency providing water, sewer and reclaimed water services to the Carrboro- Chapel Hill community. Chair Bernadette Pelissier Orange County Board of Commissioners Post Office Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Dear Chair Pelissier, We appreciate the opportunity to make our annual presentation to the Board of Commissioners on OWASA's initiatives at your January 24, 2012 meeting. We understand you are especially interested in the Water and Sewer Management, Planning and Boundary Agreement as it pertains to our access and use of our Jordan Lake water supply allocation. Water and Sewer Management, Planning and Boundary Agreement ( WSMPBA) On December 9, 2010, the OWASA Board adopted a resolution to clarify certain language in the 2001 WSMPBA so that the Agreement cannot be interpreted as a constraint on access to OWASA's Jordan Lake water supply storage allocation. Hillsborough and Orange County adopted resolutions on March 14, 2011 and March 15, 2011, respectively, that would apply OWASA's requested text change to their jurisdictions as well. The Carrboro Board of Aldermen approved the proposed change for Hillsborough and Orange County on March 1, 2011, but not for OWASA. The Chapel Hill Town Council had originally approved OWASA's request on February 28, 2011, but on April 25, 2011 reconsidered its previous action and rejected the text change. On June 9, 2011, the OWASA Board resolved to adopt and maintain a policy to purchase water from other communities or obtain water from its Jordan Lake storage allocation only after first declaring a Stage 1 Water Supply Shortage — provided that Carrboro and Chapel Hill approve the previously requested WSMPBA clarification. At our October 20, 2011 meeting, the OWASA Board discussed its June 9, 2011 policy resolution regarding water purchases during drought and the importance of securing permanent access to our Jordan Lake water supply allocation without the constraints of language presently contained in the WSMPBA. The Board was in agreement to modify its June 9t' position and adopted a resolution stating that: "OWASA shall only purchase water from other communities or obtain water from its Jordan Lake storage allocation during periods of increased drought risk after it has declared a Stage 1 Water Supply Shortage per OWASA's State - approved Water Shortage Response Plan and OWASA's Water Conservation Standards as incorporated therein. " 400 Jones Ferry Road Equal Opportunity Employer Voice (919) 968 -4421 Carrboro, NC 275 1 0 -200 1 Printed on Recycled Paper www.owasa.org