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Discussion Paper--Jordan Lake Options for OWASA <br /> December 18, 1998 <br /> Page 5 <br /> OWASA and Chatham County have agreed to establish an emergency only finished water interconnection <br /> along U.S. 15-501 at the Orange County line. Chatham has already invested$120,000 to extend its 16- <br /> inch pipeline to the OWASA system. This emergency only interconnection will provide long-term benefit <br /> to both parties. <br /> What is OWASA's recommendation? <br /> OWASA believes there would be substantial environmental,technical, and economic benefits from <br /> collaborating with Chatham County to develop a regional raw water intake system at Jordan Lake, even <br /> though OWASA is not expected to need Jordan Lake water for at least ten years (this estimate is currently <br /> being refined through OWASA's Comprehensive Water and Sewer Master Plan project). OWASA does <br /> not propose participating in the joint development of pumping and transmission facilities from Jordan <br /> Lake to OWASA at this time due to the high costs and relative absence of short term need. There may be <br /> an opportunity to make a portion of OWASA's Jordan Lake property available for Chatham County to <br /> use in pumping raw water to its own treatment plant. Additional engineering analysis is needed to more <br /> fully evaluate these opportunities. <br /> The OWASA Board of Directors believes that it is highly desirable that the March 1999 follow-up <br /> meeting with local governments and the OWASA Board be scheduled as suggested during the October 1, <br /> 1998 Joint Meeting. Given the range of collaborative arrangements that presently exist or are possible for <br /> the future, it would be beneficial for all parties to establish and reinforce a strong constructive partnership <br /> with Chatham County at the earliest opportunity. <br /> Whatever the outcome of future meetings of Chatham County officials with their counterparts from <br /> Orange County, OWASA staff should maintain close communications with Chatham County engineering <br /> personnel to monitor the development of the Chatham water supply and distribution system and to, <br /> identify opportunities for technical cooperation. <br /> 0aA4AJN&tIA f ek-- <br /> Dan C. VanderMeer <br /> Chairman <br />