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Annual Report 3 <br /> January 20, 2017 <br /> Page 2 <br /> we use to measure the affordability of our services. The average household in our area uses about <br /> 4,000 gallons per month of water and sewer service; the annual cost of service at this level is less <br /> than 1.5% of median household income. <br /> Affordability outreach program <br /> On December 8th, we approved the second-year plan for affordability outreach. This program is <br /> designed to educate and empower customers to reduce their water use and therefore their <br /> monthly water and sewer costs. We are partnering with local agencies and focusing on customers <br /> who have received financial assistance towards paying an OWASA bill. <br /> In the Care to Share customer assistance program, over 1,000 OWASA customers contribute <br /> about $450 per month through on-bill payments. We also encourage citizens to give directly to <br /> the Inter-Faith Council. <br /> Advanced Metering Infrastructure(AMI) <br /> We are moving forward with evaluating and identifying a vendor and system for Advanced <br /> Metering Infrastructure (AMI)in our community. AMI is a system that allows for remote meter <br /> reading via radio transmissions, which in turn allows for more frequent meter readings and faster <br /> leak detection. After conducting a feasibility study and engaging the community, the OWASA <br /> Board determined that such a system would be beneficial to the utility and community and would <br /> not require a rate increase. The Board decided to move forward with requesting proposals. <br /> In December 2016, staff received and began evaluating proposals. Early in 2017, we will select a <br /> team to provide and install an AMI system. We estimate that installing the new system for all <br /> 22,000 meters in our system will take about two years after the vendor begins. <br /> We will continue to inform and engage our customers as we move forward with the installation <br /> or consider any proposed policy changes related to AMI. <br /> Drinking water quality <br /> In 2016, we again met all Federal and State standards for the quality of our drinking water <br /> including requirements to test for over 150 substances and to report results to the State. <br /> In August, we received the Partnership for Safe Water's award for five consecutive years of <br /> "Excellence in Water Treatment." The Partnership is an unprecedented alliance of six prestigious <br /> drinking water organizations, including the US Environmental Protection Agency. This <br /> achievement demonstrates our outstanding commitment to delivering superior quality drinking <br /> water to our customers. <br /> In response to requests from customers, OWASA staff tested the water quality at 89 homes and <br /> businesses and provided written reports of these results. We continue to offer free lead testing to <br /> our customers. In 2016, 58 customers took advantage of this service. Additionally, we partnered <br /> with Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools and local childcare facilities to test almost 200 water <br /> samples for lead. All samples were well below the federal action level of 15 parts per billion. We <br />