Agenda 4-a - OWASA Annual Update Presentation

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OWASA Annual Report 6 January 29, 2019 Page 5 Effective July 1, 2018, system development fees (one-time fees charged for new connections to OWASA's system) were reduced between 10% and 40%, depending on meter size and property type. A new tier for single family homes less than 800 square feet in size was also added. 6. Affordability Outreach Program 2018 marked the third full year of OWASA's Affordability Outreach Program. Through this program,we engage with over 20 social service agencies to empower low-income customers and local agencies that serve them with information and tools to better manage their water consumption, and reduce bills. In addition, OWASA continued to invite customers to contribute to Care to Share, the customer assistance program administered in partnership with the Interfaith Council for Social Services (IFC). In 2018, on-bill contributions totaled over$7,650,representing a 44% increase over the year before (about$2,350 more). Individuals and businesses also donated$790 directly to IFC to support Care to Share. These combined customer, individual, and business contributions provided funding for approximately 64%of utility bill assistance needs that IFC administered to families in 2018. 7. Wastewater and biosolids quality OWASA published its annual Wastewater Quality Report Card and was pleased to report that from July 2017 to June 2018,we surpassed all Federal and State standards for treated wastewater quality. The phosphorus level in our treated wastewater was 45%below the regulatory limit, and nitrogen was 67%below the limit. Throughout the reporting year, OWASA's wastewater system treated about 2.8 billion gallons of wastewater, an average of 7.8 million gallons per day. Following OWASA's extensive wastewater treatment process, the treated water output is returned to Morgan Creek or reclaimed as non-drinking water for use in commercial cooling units and other systems to support sustainable water use. In 2017-18, the University and UNC Healthcare used about 265 million gallons of reclaimed water(about one-third of the University's overall water use). Solids that remain after the treatment process are anaerobically digested. These organic materials, called biosolids, are beneficially recycled via composting or through land application in partnership with local farms in Orange, Chatham and Alamance Counties. OWASA biosolids are designated exceptional quality per EPA standards. Some biosolids are also recycled at a private composting facility in Chatham County. 8. Sewers for the Historic Rogers Road Area The Historic Rogers Road Area Sewer Extension Project was approved and funded jointly by three local governments: Orange County, Town of Carrboro, and Town of Chapel Hill. OWASA is providing project management services to oversee the construction of 18,000 feet of sewer pipes; 70% of the pipes for this project have been installed. Along the path of the piping in the Rogers Road area, the contractor encountered underground rock which is requiring low intensity blasting to the south and north of Tallyho Trail in Carrboro.