Agenda - 06-02-2004-9c - Laserfiche WebLink

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that mandatory water restrictions could be enacted when remaining storage is greater than the trigger points proposed in the new ordinance should low storage levels exist early in the year. Town staff has also indicated that the relaxed water use restrictions of the proposed revised ordinance are to be considered a temporary measure that will have to be revisited as the Town's normal water demand grows to more nearly match the water supply capacity of first the current (Phase I iteration) capacity of the West Fork reservoir and then the expanded (Phase II iteration) capacity. The Town also recognizes that, as Orange County ordinances apply to approximately 50% of Town utility customers, it is desirable for the County drought/water conservation ordinance to track closely with its own ordinance. However, the Town's current request is only that the BOCC review and comment on the provisions of the proposed Town drought/water conservation ordinance,. Insofar as the Town, the Town's utility customers and the County's goals and interests related to water conservation issues is concerned, there are both positive and negative implications to relaxing water use restrictions. A summary of those implications is outlined below: ® Eliminating utility revenue losses consequential to water conservation could allow Hillsborough to reduce its rates by as much as 9% overall or by as much as 18% to out- of-town customers only without offsetting rate increases to in-town customers. ® Eliminating stringent water conservation measures will address the issue of Town customers who pay high rates to provide for what is now excess water supply while still being subject to the inconveniences associated with restrictions on washing cars, watering lawns, plants and so forth. ® Eliminating stringent water conservation measures and lowering water rates may make the area more attractive for economic development opportunities that are currently impacted by high rates and the prospect of water shortages. ® Water use/consumption strategies that do not encourage water conservation is contrary to BOCC goals and values related to institutional and individual responsibility for managing and using natural rescurces in a sustainable fashion. ® Water use/consumption strategies that do not encourage water conservation will allow an accelerated drawdown of Lake Orange (to the maximum extent allowed by the Eno River Capacity Use Agreement) which, in turn, negatively affects the aesthetic and recreational values inherent in higher water levels at Lake Orange. ® Water use/consumption strategies that do not encourage water conservation will allow an accelerated drawdown of Lake Orange (to the maximum extent allowed by the Eno River Capacity Use Agreement) which, in turn, accelerates the reduction in the quantity of release to maintain instream flow in the Eno River. One of the stated values of the BOCC insofar as water conservation/drought ordinances are concerned is a maximum level of continuity in the requirements, provisions, terminology, etc„ of the ordinances applicable to the County's various utility providers (OWASA, Hillsborough, Orange-Alamance).. That goal is proving to be difficult to accomplish given that each utility has its distinct or unique characteristics in terms of customers, legislative powers, resources, values..