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Chair Jacobs asked Gayle Wilson if this relates directly to the presence of a MRF. Gayle <br />Wilson said that it does relate directly to the presence ar absence of same method of enhanced <br />processing -whether it is a MRF in Orange County or somewhere else. <br />Chair Jacobs said that they would try and report back to all jurisdictions as they move forward. <br />Alex Zaffran said that he echoes Mayor Foy's comments about the equity issues. <br />2. OWASA Water Reuse <br />Chair of the OWASA Board Mark Marcoplos said that this reuse project is designed to utilize <br />wastewater instead of potable water for the University's chiller facility, steam generation, and <br />irrigation needs. They focused on this during the 2001-2002 drought. He said that UNC and <br />OWASA are currently collaborating on this project. This will result in a new source of water <br />supply for the community as well as drought insurance. This is a perfect time to do this project <br />because the University is doing a lot of construction and ditches are open and OWASA is at the <br />beginning of an upgrade to the wastewater treatment plant. The OWASA board has dealt with <br />this for a long time and they have supported this project. This is a conservation project and will <br />be a source of 700,000 gallons of water supply when it begins in 2007. <br />There will be a small rate increase of approximately $2 per household per month. If this is <br />compared to the cast of going to Jordan Lake, it is the cheapest source of supply. UNC will pay <br />for all of the costs of the system and the rate increase is to account for the drop in revenue <br />stream. <br />Joal Hall Braun asked if there had been any thought to using non-potable water when Carolina <br />North Games into fruition. She asked if there had been any thought to expanding the use of the <br />water to the new schools that are built to the northern area of the urban services boundary and <br />the park. <br />OWASA Sustainability Coordinator Pat Davis said that they have been discussing with the <br />University the future plans for Carolina North. If they develop a reclaimed water system for <br />Carolina North, then it can be designed to ultimately meet the non-essential water needs of <br />some of the surrounding urban growth areas. He said that, with the ongoing construction at <br />UNC, they have the opportunity to ca-construct a series of reclaimed water mains along with the <br />construction. He said that by developing the reclaimed water system for the main campus, they <br />expect to be able to defer the need for an additional water supply source for about 12 years. <br />They estimate that through reuse, they can defer over $40 million of capital improvements. This <br />is a long-term financial benefit. <br />Chair Jacobs said that on May 20t" the Board will have a work session to consider Twin Creeks, <br />and this will be the first opportunity to look at the infrastructure. <br />Mayor Foy asked haw they set the recycled water rate. Pat Davis said that they are required to <br />set rates at cost of service. The use of reclaimed water will reduce the potable water revenues. <br />They have made it clear to the University that the revenues from reclaimed water services will <br />fully cover the capital, operation, and maintenance costs that OWASA incurs in setting up and <br />maintaining this system. No OWASA water or sewer system customers will be paying to cover <br />the expenses of the reclaimed water system. The target startup date is July 1, 2007. He said <br />that the University is fully committed and is supporting this project. <br />