Agenda - 02-20-2018 4-a - OWASA Annual Update Presentation

Browse Search

OWASA Annual Report January 23, 2018 Page 3 Affordability Outreach Program 2017 marked the second full year of OWASA’s formal Affordability Outreach Program. We continue to engage with over 20 social service agencies from across the county to increase community awareness of options to manage and reduce OWASA bills and empower low-income customers and the local agencies that serve them with information and tools to manage and reduce OWASA bills. Some of our notable efforts in 2017 include: • A revenue-neutral transition from a seasonal water rate structure to a uniform water rate structure for multi-family, master-metered customers to help with month-to-month water bill budgeting for sub-metered tenants. • The launch of a neighborhood conservation challenge (Save2Gain) in partnership with Chapel Hill Public Housing. • Promotion and completion of water use assessments to identify water saving strategies for low-income customers, working through the local agencies that serve them. • The implementation of a pay-by-text option for interested customers. We continue to promote the on-bill contributions to the Care to Share customer assistance program in our Blue Thumb customer newsletter, public events (like our Open Houses), and website. In Fiscal Year 2017, the program raised over $5,400 in on-bill contributions from 1,038 customers. We also promote direct contributions to the Inter-Faith Council. In 2018, OWASA will consider a reduction in our service availability fees (renamed system development fees) for all new connections to OWASA’s water and sewer system, as well as the creation of a new, low tier for homes that are 800 square feet or less. Additionally, the OWASA Board of Directors will receive and discuss a proposal for Year 3 of the Affordability Outreach Program Plan at our February 8, 2018 Work Session. Fluoridating drinking water On October 9, 2017, OWASA resumed fluoridation of drinking water to promote dental health and in accord with recommendations of the US Centers for Disease Control, US Environmental Protection Agency, US Public Health Service, NC Division of Public Health and the Orange County Board of Health. Fluoridation resumed following completion of improvements to the safety and reliability of the fluoride feed system at the Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant. In February 2018, the Orange County Board of Health is scheduled to consider OWASA’s request for the Health Department to facilitate a County-wide process for periodic review of drinking water fluoridation. Drinking water quality In 2017, we again met all Federal and State standards for the quality of our drinking water, including requirements to test for over 150 substances. 4