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�~n �r'��~^��*~��+�� ���s����� - ' ' <br /> • <br /> ^ <br /> ORANGE COUNTY 1 � <br /> ^ ~ <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT ITEM mV. s-2I <br /> MEETING DATE o ,"' `: <br /> SUBJECT: Jordan WIter Quality and Classification <br /> ' . . -__ _ _ <br /> - _ __' <br /> DEPARTMENT: County Connissinners || ( PUBLIC HEARING: y[S 8 NO <br /> �__ <br /> . - <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Commissioner wil7hoit <br /> • <br /> PHONE NUMBERS: HILLSBOROUGH - 732-81E1 <br /> HILLSBOROUGH - 732-9361 <br /> CHAPEL HILL - 967-9251 <br /> MEBANE - 227-8031 <br /> DURHAM - 688-7331 <br /> PURPOSE: To consider further recommendations to NRCD Secretary Grinmley's Jordan Lake <br /> �ni1�atfveo. <br /> NEED: The strategy being proposed by NRCD for improving water quality in the Jordan <br /> is focused primarily on nutrients, particularly phosphorus. Although nutrients <br /> are important determinants of water quality from the standpoint of recreational <br /> uses and aesthetics, they are not very significant from the standpoint of human <br /> health. <br /> It is important to recognize that water quality means different things to <br /> different . Everyone wants "good water quality," but there are at <br /> least fbtir different meanings associated with the use of this phrase. These a -: <br /> 1. AestFetic <br /> plant life due to oxygen deprivation; <br /> 2. Bacterial standards - safe for body contact; <br /> " <br /> (coagulation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection) to meet the <br /> natiOnal drinking water standards. These standards list numeric valves <br /> for a very limited list of metals and synthetic organic chemicals. <br /> 4. High kuality water - not only meets current drinking water quality, but is <br /> """`' <br /> The . ^. lassification proposed for the Jordan by the NRCD staff is premature <br /> in that i implies that, once classified A-lI, it meets all expectations of a <br /> source of drinking water. A source meeting just the current drinking standard <br /> is not sufficient, especially when it has been documented that carcinogens not <br /> covered by the current drinking water standards are present in the Haw River <br /> which is the primary source of water flowing into the Jordan. A much more <br /> prudent approach would be to intensify efforts to clean-up the Jordan, b � �p <br /> classify it B, nutrient sensitive, until studies on significance of toxics <br /> -s <br /> in the Jordan are completed. <br /> In order oard's concern about the health implications of using <br /> water from the Jordan as source of drinking water, our previously adopted state- <br /> ment on the Jordan needs to be expanded to include more specific discussion on <br /> taxies and the deficiencies of the proposed A-Il classification. <br /> IMPACT: The future health of the citizens of the region. <br /> . | | <br /> � <br /> RECOMMENDATION(S): <br /> Convey th se concerns about the health implications of use of the Jordan as"nn k,n <br /> water supply to Secretary Grimsley. <br /> ' | <br /> � / <br />