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®iA� �C <br /> f <br /> JAMEZETTA BEDFORD, CHAIR Orange County Board of Commissioners <br /> JEAN HAM/LTON, VICE-CHAIR <br /> MARILYN CARTER Post Office Box 8181 <br /> A ER <br /> SAALLY 300 West Tryon StreetEAR _ <br /> LLYGR GREENS <br /> HYL PLLIORSPORMcKE T/EASCOTT Hillsborough , North Carolina 27278 th <br /> HY <br /> April 1 , 2025 <br /> The Honorable Thom Tillis <br /> 113 Dirksen Senate Office Building <br /> Washington, D . C . 20510 <br /> Dear Senator Tillis , <br /> On behalf of Orange County, I am writing to request your support in securing federal <br /> appropriations to fund a critical water infrastructure project in our community . Orange <br /> Water and Sewer Authority ( OWASA) is seeking $ 1 . 522 million in federal assistance to <br /> address a pressing environmental and public health issue : elevated levels of per- and <br /> polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS ) in our drinking water . <br /> Our community is facing significant challenges as PFAS contamination has been detected <br /> in one of OWASA ' s primary drinking water sources : the Cane Creels Reservoir . Current <br /> treatment technologies at OWASA ' s Water Treatment Plant do not effectively remove these <br /> harmful chemicals . With new federal regulations set to take effect in 2029 , we must act now <br /> to ensure compliance and, more importantly , safeguard the health of our residents . PFAS <br /> contamination is linked to a variety of serious health concerns , and addressing it is critical <br /> to ensuring the long-term safety and quality of our drinking water. <br /> The requested funding will help offset the costs of designing a new PFAS removal facility <br /> at the Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant, getting OWASA one step closer to <br /> sustainably reducing PFAS levels in Chapel Hill and Carrboro ' s drinking water . The long- <br /> term benefits of this project will protect public health and provide reliable , safe drinking <br /> water for current and future generations . <br /> Without federal support, OWASA faces the difficult reality of raising water rates <br /> significantly to cover the costs of the project . These rate increases would disproportionately <br /> affect low- income residents who are already struggling with economic hardships . Federal <br /> funding would help offset these necessary increases , ensuring that our community can <br /> continue to thrive without undue financial burden. <br /> www. orangecountync. goy <br /> Orange County, North Carolina <br /> (919) 245-2130 <br />