Orange County NC Website
6 <br /> THIS THE 20t" DAY OF FEBRUARY 2024. <br /> Jamezetta Bedford, Chair <br /> Orange County Board of <br /> Commissioners <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to <br /> approve the proclamation and authorize the Chair to sign. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> b. OWASA Annual Update Presentation <br /> The Board received a presentation and information from the Orange Water and Sewer Authority <br /> (OWASA) on recent activities. <br /> BACKGROUND: At the beginning of each calendar year, OWASA representatives appear <br /> before the Board of Commissioners to make a presentation on recent OWASA activities. <br /> OWASA Board Chair Bruce Boehm, Orange County appointees Jody Eimers and Kim Piracci, <br /> and Executive Director Todd Taylor will present the annual update. <br /> Jody Eimers introduced herself, fellow board member Kim Piracci, and OWASA Executive <br /> Director, Todd Taylor. She mentioned that her final term on the OWASA Board of Directors <br /> expires on June 30t" and encouraged the Board to appoint her replacement in a timely manner. <br /> She began reviewing Attachment 1-OWASA Quarterly Report. She highlighted the Care to Share <br /> Program, which provides financial assistance to families experiencing hardship. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked how the number of households receiving assistance <br /> compares to previous years. <br /> Jody Eimers said the number is similar to past years. <br /> Jody Eimers continued her presentation and discussed OWASA's PFAS monitoring efforts <br /> and treatment. She said OWASA will begin a new treatment process including a pilot study, which <br /> will run 6-14 months at the Jones Ferry Rd. Water Treatment Plant. She said construction will <br /> start in late 2025 and will take 24-30 months to complete, and the primary focus is drinking water <br /> at this time. <br /> Kim Piracci reviewed information from OWASA's report on the Drinking Water Service <br /> Line Inventory. She said 48% of private service lines have been reviewed and no lead lines have <br /> been identified in OWASA's service area through this effort. She also mentioned education efforts <br /> around galvanized pipes. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton asked how long it will take to review the remaining lines that have <br /> not been checked for lead. <br /> Todd Taylor said it will take several years to complete, but they are beginning to utilize a <br /> machine that will learn and be able to predict pipes based on what other pipes are in the <br /> neighborhood or in service area. <br /> Commissioner Richards asked about the self-verification process. <br /> Todd Taylor said residents take a visual inspection of the pipes, then take a picture and <br /> OWASA staff will confirm the resident's evaluation on the pipe material. <br /> Kim Piracci continued her presentation and read from OWASA's report to update the <br /> board on the Jordan Lake Western Intake Partnership. <br /> Commissioner Fowler asked about the timeline for construction of water treatment <br /> facilities at Jordan Lake. <br />