Agenda 02-17-2026; 4-a - OWASA Annual Update Presentation

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4 OWASA Quarterly Report January 2026 Page 3 To build on a sense of belonging for employees at OWASA, the Employee Development Committee was established in 2025 to encourage and support employee development across the organization. Last quarter, the Committee worked to establish Employee Development Guiding Principles, and a needs assessment is underway to develop a multi-year employee development plan.This program is designed to strengthen employees' skills and capabilities while fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued and has equal access to opportunities and resources. On Veterans Day,the commander of the local Disabled American Veterans office spoke to OWASA veterans about benefits for which they may be eligible to receive related to their veteran status. OWASA strives to ensure veterans are aware of opportunities and benefits at OWASA, and to ensure their experience as OWASA employees is fulfilling. VISIONS Inc. provided DEIB training to new OWASA Board Members on January 14 and continues to provide DEIB training to new supervisors at OWASA. Galvanized Service Line Replacement Program to Launch Galvanized pipe has the potential to "collect" lead particles if they are downstream of a lead pipe.These particles can be released into drinking water if there is a disruption to the service line (such as a meter replacement, nearby water line break, etc.). Currently,there are no lead water lines in OWASA's service area. However, on 92 drinking water service lines in the community, it cannot be proven that there was never lead pipes or fixtures upstream of them, so we must assume that there was. All property owners were notified first in October 2024 and again in October 2025. At a special meeting on January 22, the OWASA Board of Directors received an update on OWASA's plans to replace the drinking water service lines made of galvanized steel. Beginning this summer,the 92 properties known to be served by galvanized drinking water service lines will be replaced with new service lines at no direct cost to the customer.The program, catalyzed by the federal Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), is expected to take 18 months to complete. Replacement of the service lines will require OWASA to obtain permission from property owners to perform the work on their property. Staff plan to contact property owners in February to explain the replacement program and request permission to perform the replacement work. Addressing Morgan Creek Flooding Following Tropical Storm Chantal Following Tropical Storm Chantal, residents of Weatherhill Pointe and Berryhill neighborhoods, both just downstream of University Lake Dam, reached out to OWASA with concerns about future flooding. In August, OWASA attended a community meeting with Orange County Emergency Management and Carrboro Fire staff to answer questions about the storm's impacts at University Lake and whether the management of the dam affected the extent of flooding.