Agenda - 05-19-1982 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Until that data is available, the conclusion about the water quality of these two water supplies, based on the characteristics of their watersheds must be that Cane Creek will have water of superior quality. Critique Of Water Treatment Effectiveness The EIS states that one of the most important considerations in analyzing the desirability of various water supply sources is the adequacy of treatment to provide protection for human health. Tne EIS concludes that current treat- ment technology is adequate to make all of the alternative sources discussed suitable for human consumption. This conclusion is at odds with the thinking of some experts in the water quality field. They feel that the water treatment plant is too unreliable a barrier between potentially harmful raw water and the water consumer because the plants can malfunction and are operated by humans who are prone to mis- takes or incompetence. In recognition of the limitations of drinking water treatment technology, protected high quality sources are still considered by these experts to be an important "first line of defense" against the contamination of potable water supplies. Economic Cost Comparisons The EIS points out the difficulties of doing economic cost comparisons. Not only are there variables based on engineering judgements of equipment needed, but there are several methodologies for performing the economic analysis, and the choice of method used can significantly affect the results of the analysis. Cost analyses were done for the alternatives considered in the EIS using several methodologies and each gave some variation in the ranking of the alternatives. According to the EIS, perhaps the most revealing result of the cost analysis was the relative closeness of costs for all alternatives. No single alternative water supply stands out as clearly superior from a cost standpoint. Socio-Economic Impacts The EIS provides a more complete discussion of the socio-economic impacts of constructing the Cane Creek reservoir than was provided in the EIS pre- pared by the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1980. There is a good analysis of the components of community structure in the Cane Creek area that would be impacted by the project including population, agriculture, community social/ economic changes, transportation, recreation, energy use, historical/archae- ological resources and land use. The EIS draws no conclusions about the socio-economic costs identified , but does point out that similar costs have already been absorbed for the Jordan Lake project which is now complete. No figures are developed con- cerning the health costs of drinking water from the Haw. Attached is a summary of environmental impacts from the EIS. Orange County Planning Department April 23, 19B2 •