Agenda - 12-01-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Local government influence can be maintained by the appointment of members to the governing board of the authority by the elected officials and by thoughtfully constructed agreements which coordinate water and/or sewer facility planning and management decision making with land use planning and growth management efforts of the county and member municipalities. Several other areas throughout the nation have resolved this concern, as evidenced by numerous regional agreements for water and sewer utility services (see O1'U.SA files on intergovernmental agreements) . The adverse impact of the requirement for State approval of eminent domain powers can be reduced if water supply expansion needs are identified well in advance of their actual need. State review procedures have been streamlined to reduce the delays like those NASA experienced during the Cane Creek Reservoir project approval process. In summary, based on the information available and Committee discussions the County-wide authority approach which involves the present water and sewer service providers in the County is the preferred alternative. This approach would offer substantial benefits to the smaller utility service providers within the County, as they will find it increasingly difficult to independently meet water and sewer needs in a financially feasible and economical manner. Potential Role of OWASA in Regional Management Approach In the mid-1970s Orange County, the Town of Chapel Hill and Town of Carrboro agreed to a regional water and sewer utility management approach for consolidating the water and sewer facilities and services in southern Orange County which resulted in the formation of OWASA. This approach has proven to be a successful one and has provided Orange County with a direct mechanism for involvement in providing water and sewer services to more than 50% of the County's total population and more than 80% of the County's urban population. This organization has the inherent capability to be readily expanded to other areas of the County. NASA has by far the largest customer base and facility capacities of any of the water utilities within the County. The full range of technical, administrative and financial services necessary for water and wastewater utility planning, operation and management exist within CWASA. OWASA's service area is not statutorily or organizationally limited, but facilities and customers are presently located only in the Chapel Bill - Carrboro community and outlying areas, including limited portions of Chatham County and Durham County. OWASA-coordinates water and sewer planning and - decision making with five different jurisdictions. It has also provided direct technical assistance under agreements with the Town of Hillsborough and Town of Pittsboro, and participates actively in State and regional water resources planning discussions. OWASA's policy making board is linked to the county and municipal policy making process through the fact that OWASA's board members are appointed by the Orange County Board of Commissioners and the governing boards of Chapel Hill and Carrborc. This provides a mechanism for coordinating the delivery of water and sewer services to residents of the County within the context of various municipal and county growth policies. - 21