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the State will only allow them 370,000 gallons a day. Their wells allow them <br /> 300,000 gallons a day. Mebane sells them 300,000 gallons a day if needed. If <br /> they are willing to grow, they will need to have a long-term contract with someone <br /> for water. They would rather not drill more wells. <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked if Orange-Alamance was not in the <br /> business, who would supply the water. Brady Goforth said that Mebane or <br /> Graham might take over the system. It would mean a much higher rate for the <br /> customers. <br /> Ed Kerwin, Executive Director of OWASA spoke next. He said that since <br /> they came before the Board on August 20th, the remainder of that week they saw <br /> demand in their service area increase quite substantially. Last Friday, their stage <br /> 2 water restrictions took effect, which reduced irrigation to one day per week. <br /> Since then, they have seen a decline in use. They have only seen 1/3 of an inch <br /> of rain in Cane Creek during the last five days. They have actually seen <br /> University Lake creep up a few inches, but Cane Creek is currently close to 17 <br /> feet down. They may be only days away from stage 3. They estimate that they <br /> have 108 days of supply remaining. Stage 3 would stop all outdoor irrigation and <br /> they may have to write new stages. Their board may have a special meeting <br /> next week to discuss emergency measures. <br /> Chair Jacobs talked about Lowes having so many plants and how to <br /> accommodate businesses that depend on water for their livelihood. <br /> Ed Kerwin said that there would be no outside uses of water if they go into <br /> stage 3 except fire suppression. There are no exceptions to this. <br /> Chair Jacobs made reference to an article and said that people were <br /> hesitating to do what was necessary because of the adverse consequences to <br /> some businesses. <br /> Ed Kerwin said that they were aware of this and they have formed an ad <br /> hoc meeting to discuss this issue on September 5th. He said that unless there is <br /> a significant rainfall or a dramatic reduction in demand within the OWASA <br /> system, they are likely a stage away from dropping all outdoor use of water. <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked about taking water from inside to water <br /> plants outside and if this would be allowed and Ed Kerwin said no. <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis asked about the University's use of water and <br /> how much the demand has gone up with them back in session. Ed Kerwin said <br /> that he would have a better answer in a couple of weeks because of the meter <br /> readings. Historically, they do not see much of a change because irrigation <br /> outdoors is decreasing when the students come back. <br /> Commissioner Brown asked who the biggest water users are. Ed Kerwin <br /> said that residential users were the biggest and then the University and then <br /> commercial. <br /> Commissioner Brown asked about helping businesses that use water and <br /> if a business like Lowes could use roof water. Ed Kerwin said yes. He said that <br /> the benefit is that there is a lot to be learned from this drought in water <br /> conservation. <br />