Agenda - 02-16-2016 - 4-d - OWASA Annual Update Presentation

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OWASA Annual Report 4 January 28, 2016 Page 3 3. Beneficially use all wastewater treatment plant biogas by 2022,provided the preferred strategy is projected to have a positive payback within the expected useful life of the required equipment. Biosolids On October 8, 2015 we decided to move toward recycling about 75% of our biosolids in "liquid" form on approved farms (when practical), and recycling about 25% in dewatered form at a composting facility in Chatham County. Our past practice was to apply about 50% of our biosolids on farmland and dewater 50% for composting. Our Class A biosolids continue to meet Federal standards for Exceptional Quality. This approach will continue our partnership with local farmers and maintain flexibility for alternative biosolids management strategies in the future. Care to Share Customer Assistance Program (formerly Taste of Hope) About 5% of our customers donate monthly with bill payments. We received about $4,600 in 2015. We also encourage citizens to give directly to the Inter-Faith Council (IFC). In response to an appeal by Executive Director Ed Kerwin to various businesses in July 2015, the IFC received about$1,500 for the Care to Share program. Marketing included information in our newsletter,bills, on the OWASA and IFC websites, and asking new customers to sign up as donors. Jordan Lake Allocation Request/Long-Range Water Supply Plan Update On November 14, 2014 staff submitted OWASA's application to maintain our Jordan Lake water supply allocation of about 5 million gallons per day for use in severe droughts and operational emergencies. The earliest the NC Environmental Management Commission will make a decision is likely July 2016. The decision on our Jordan Lake allocation will be important in how we proceed with the update of our Long-Range Water Supply Plan which is currently underway. Water conservation and the use of reclaimed water will continue to be a foundation for sustaining our local water resources. Capital projects Capital investments, including debt payments for capital projects, account for about half of our costs. In the past year, we invested about$6.3 million in projects to renew, replace and improve our infrastructure to maintain the reliability and quality of our services and the structural integrity of facilities. Current projects • Purefoy Road water line replacement(east of South Columbia Street) • Plum Lane water line replacement • Evergreen/Ridge Lane water line replacement(Gimghoul neighborhood)