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8 <br /> <br />safety and reliability of the fluoride feed system at the Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment <br />Plant. <br />In February 2018, the Orange County Board of Health is scheduled to consider OWASA’s <br />request for the Health Department to facilitate a County-wide process for periodic review of <br />drinking water fluoridation. <br /> <br />Drinking water quality <br />In 2017, we again met all Federal and State standards for the quality of our drinking water, <br />including requirements to test for over 150 substances. <br />As part of our regulatory monitoring, we test every three years for lead in tap water at 30 <br />homes built between 1983 and 1985. The results from this testing in 2017 were that 90% of <br />samples tested below the detectable level of 3 parts per billion (ppb). In 29 of the water <br />samples, lead was below the detectable level of 3 ppb. We found lead in one sample at a level <br />of 4 ppb, which is below the Federal action level of 15 ppb. <br />We continue to offer drinking water quality testing to all of our customers free of charge. <br /> <br />Quality of our treated wastewater and biosolids <br />In July 2017, we received the Platinum Peak Performance Award from the National <br />Association of Clean Water Agencies for seven consecutive years of meeting all standards for <br />the quality of our treated wastewater. Our treated wastewater has phosphorus and nitrogen <br />levels well below the limits set by the State for our Mason Farm Wastewater Treatment Plant. <br /> <br />We also continue to meet all standards for the quality of the treated wastewater solids, and our <br />Class A biosolids (the solid residue from wastewater treatment) meets federal environmental <br />standards for “exceptional quality.” We recycled our biosolids primarily to enhance the soil on <br />approved farmlands in Orange, Chatham and Alamance Counties. Some biosolids are <br />recycled at a private composting facility in Chatham County, which makes a soil additive for <br />landscaping. <br /> <br />Commissioner Rich asked if a bit more information could be shared about about Energy <br />Management, and alternative sources of energy. <br />Todd Taylor reviewed the following information: <br /> <br />Energy management <br />In April 2017, the Board adopted an Energy Management Plan that included a suite of <br />strategies to help us work towards our Board-set energy management goals to: <br />• Reduce our use of purchased electricity by 35% by 2020 compared to a 2010 baseline. <br />• Reduce our use of purchased gas by 5% by 2020 compared to a 2010 baseline. <br />• Beneficially use all Mason Farm Wastewater Treatment Plant biogas by 2022, provided <br />the preferred strategy is projected to have a positive payback within the expected life of <br />the required equipment. <br />• Formally engage local governments and partners in discussion about potential <br />development of biogas-to-energy projects at the wastewater treatment plant. <br />• Seek proposals for third-party development of renewable energy projects on OWASA <br />property. <br /> <br />This plan is a key milestone to improve the environmental impact of our operations, reduce <br />costs, and improve reliability. It represents our first formal, comprehensive, organization-wide