Orange County NC Website
244 days of water supply. OWASA's reservoir, Cane Creek, went from 30%full to 62% full. University Lake <br /> filled up entirely. OWASA calculates that they have 265 days of water supply. He said that there is 161 days of <br /> water storage in Lake Orange. OWASA will meet on Thursday to determine if they want to modify the water <br /> restrictions on their customers. OWASA is still well below what they would normally expect to have this time of <br /> year. He said that he did send out a resolution where the County's drought ordinance has suspended all water use <br /> restrictions because these restrictions are tied to the water level of Lake Orange. <br /> Commissioner Carey asked about the number of days of usage of water and if they are based on current <br /> usage levels or pre-drought usage levels. Paul Thames said that OWASA's water use projections are based on a <br /> six-month average. The days of storage for Lake Orange are based on releases that are specified by the capacity <br /> use agreement. <br /> Commissioner Brown said that she had never seen the number of days of usage remaining calculated. Paul <br /> Thames said that you usually do not calculate the days remaining unless you are in a drought situation. <br /> Commissioner Brown asked how long he was going to use this calculation. Paul Thames said that he was <br /> just giving them a comparison and that Hillsborough and Lake Orange are similar. However, Lake Orange <br /> releases more water than the safe yield to meet the existing demands. <br /> Commissioner Brown asked about people on wells and said that her water turned brown during the rains. <br /> Paul Thames recommends that Environmental Health take a look at her well and that her well should not react that <br /> way to rainfall. <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis asked how long it takes the water to migrate down to the bottom of a well from the <br /> recent rainfall. Paul Thames said that all wells are different but typically the water you drink could be years and <br /> years old. When it rains it displaces water and continually recycles through the system. <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked about OWASA not removing some of their water restrictions and that Cary has <br /> year round conservation measures and if this is something we could do with Hillsborough. Paul Thames said that <br /> they have not talked about that yet but staff has talked about the close call this year with the water supply. One of <br /> the things about water conservation is the cost to water utilities and that their fund balance becomes a concern. He <br /> thinks that the utilities will be looking at some long-term ways to conserve water and to maintain revenue flow. <br /> Chair Jacobs said that they have been asked to have a joint meeting with Hillsborough and to discuss water <br /> issues as one of the topics. Also, a letter from the Chair was supposed to go to OWASA about water and drought. <br /> He said that we should get the water providers together and have better coordination in the future about <br /> conservation. <br /> Commissioner Gordon reinforced that we do have USGS ground water studies and we should utilize them. <br /> 5. RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS <br /> a. Recognition of 2002 Public safety Service Officers of the Year <br /> To provide recognition to individuals nominated by their respective agencies as 2002 Service Officer of <br /> the Year. <br /> He noted that Charles Nelson from the Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce was in attendance. This <br /> recognition was their idea. There were seven honorees. Hillsborough was not included this year. <br /> Jim Orbich from Chapel Hill Police Department and Matthew Dean from Carrboro Police Department <br /> could not be here this evening. <br /> Each Commissioner read the information about each honoree that was in the abstract. <br /> • Dave Parks—Chapel Hill Fire Department and Battalion Chief Bill Minton was here with him <br /> (Commissioner Brown read the information from the abstract) <br /> • Scott Trombley—Carrboro Fire Department and Deputy Chief Iby George was here with him <br /> (Commissioner Gordon read this information) <br /> • Matthew Dodson— UNC Division of Public Safety and Major Jeff McCracken was here with him <br /> (Commissioner Carey read this information) <br /> • Sgt. Larry Faucette - Orange County Sheriff's Department (Commissioner Halkiotis read this <br /> information) <br /> • James Summey—Orange County Department of Emergency Management and EMS Director Nick <br /> Waters (Chair Barry Jacobs read this information) <br /> b. Resolution Honoring Doug Clark <br /> The Board considered a resolution to honor one of Orange County's "legends", Doug Clark. <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis read this resolution. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Carey to approve and <br /> authorize the Chair to sign the resolution as stated below: <br />