Agenda - 03-11-2008-2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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!q 2 conservation policies and requirements that are consistent throughout the OWASA service area in order to assure their effective and equitable application among all OWASA customers, businesses, and developers in the community. One key approach endorsed by the staff work group is for OWASA to develop and adopt water use efficiency standards and requirements for new development and redevelopment projects as "conditions of OWASA service." The Towns and County would then reference OWASA's standards and requirements as conditions of their respective development approval processes. By implementing the more. publicly visible strategies recommended in this report, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Orange County, and OWASA can "lead by example" in promoting the conservation behaviors and actions that we collectively want our residents, businesses and institutions to follow. The staff work group recommends that OWASA more fully formalize its plans for achieving its Goal and Objectives for OWASA's Long-Term Water Conservation and Demand Management Program adopted in April 2005. The scope and cost of implementing. those plans will be determined in part by the Towns' and County's decisions about which strategies that they themselves will pursue. The staff work group recommends atwo-phased implementation approach for the following strategies. Upon direction and guidance from the OWASA Board of Directors and the local elected boards, staff will develop a proposed implementation plan, including a timetable, projected funding and staffing requirements, and the proposed- roles and responsibilities of each respective entity. Recommended Near-Term Actions 7. OWASA should develop specific standards and enact requirements for all new development and redevelopment to provide water use efficiency plans and to install state-of--the-art water saving fixtures and devices. Compliance with these standards would be required as a condition of receiving OWASA water and/or sewer service. Such standards could include requirements for use of "high efficiency." toilets, faucets, showerheads, and other. fixtures certified under the US Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense program, and water-using appliances, such as clothes washers and dishwashers that meet the US Department of Energy's Energy Star requirements. 2. Conduct water use audits and cost-effective water conservation retrofit projects at local government-owned and managed properties. Examples include: (a) collaboration by OWASA and the Chapel Hill Public Housing Authority to install high efficiency toilets in approximately 135 public housing units that currently have older less efficient toilets; and (b) evaluation of existing irrigation systems and operating practices in order to minimize the use of OWASA supplied potable water use on public properties. 3. Continue fo incorporate and formalize our collective local commitments to state-of- the-art water use efficiency in the design of new public properties and, where practical and cost-effective, in renovated local government properties. Examples include Orange County's "Orange Turning Green" initiative for smart growth and green building design, Carrboro's Century Center, Chapel Hill's recently completed Town Operations Center, and OWASA's Operations Center.