Agenda - 04-17-2001-9g - Laserfiche WebLink

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~._ ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 17, 2001 Action Agenda Item No. SUBJECT; OWASA and Orange County Jordan Lake Allocations DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: County Engineers 3/21/2001 Memo Paul Thames, ext 2300 TELEPHONE .NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 (Delayed from BOCC April 3, 2001 Durham 688-7331 Meeting) Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To review and discuss information regarding the future allocation of raw water from Jordan Lake; to consider supporting OWASA's Round 3 application fora 6.0 mgd Level II raw water allocation from Jordan Lake; and to consider relinquishing Orange County's existing 1.0 mgd Level I I raw water allocation from Jordan Lake. BACKGROUND: The NC Environmental Management Commission (EMC) is currently conducting a third round of allocation requests for raw water supplies from Jordan Lake. The total allocations requested in the second and third rounds have far exceeded the rated 100 million gallon per day (mgd) water supply capacity of Jordan Lake. The Round 3 allocation process requires that all entities having an existing Level II allocation (for future withdrawals) reapply to preserve their allocations. Unlike the initial Round 1 application process, Round 3 applications must provide detailed projections as to water demand and water supply capacity as justification for requested allocations. The attached memorandum from County Engineer Paul Thames explains in detail OWASA's Round 3 request fora 6.0 mgd Level II (future) allocation of raw water from Jordan Lake and the difficulties Orange County will face in retaining or utilizing its existing Level II allocation. The Engineer will briefly outline the major points of his report, and respond to the Board's questions on this subject. A Board decision about the County's allocation will be needed no later than the April 17, 2001 regular meeting. FINANCIAL IMPACT: If Orange County is to maintain its Level II allocation, its annual cost in interests and service/maintenance charges for Jordan Lake will be approximately $2,300 per year. If the County maintains its Level II allocation and eventually does convert to a Level I allocation, the annual cost will be approximately $4500 for the raw water allocation plus additional charges for water withdrawal, treatment and distribution operational costs. At 1.0 mgd, capital costs could exceed two million dollars with operational costs approaching $5,000 or more per day.