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6 <br /> OWASA Quarterly Report <br /> January 2026 <br /> Page 5 <br /> the planned growth of the Towns and County; and support the development of housing in the service <br /> area. Staff will propose a draft policy for the Board's consideration in the coming months. <br /> Water Bill Assistance:Care to Share and Plans for a Water Bill Relief Pilot Project <br /> OWASA's Care to Share Program, our community's water bill assistance program, was recognized by <br /> Carrboro and Chapel Hill town councils in November with proclamations naming November 20, 2025 <br /> "Care to Share Day" in our community. Mayors Anderson and Foushee supported the program by being <br /> featured in a "Dare to Share" promotional video that launched in 2024 and was used again in 2025. <br /> In 2025,the community donated over$24,000 to the Care to Share Program, and the "Dare to Share" <br /> campaign raised over$650 in additional funds this year. Every$250 raised allows OWASA to help a <br /> family in a time of need to cover up to two months of their water bills. In 2025, Care to Share provided <br /> $29,318 of financial support to customers. <br /> OWASA will be working through the Towns' and County's Outside Agency Funding process to establish a <br /> water bill relief pilot project in Fiscal Year 2027.The goal of the pilot program is to provide sustained <br /> water bill assistance to low-income customers in our community. If funded, OWASA will partner with <br /> Orange County Department of Social Services to determine eligibility for the pilot program and will apply <br /> up to 50% bill credit every month for participating customers. <br /> Capital Improvement Projects <br /> West Rosemary Street Water Main Replacement Project: In early October, work on this project <br /> began with mobilization of materials and equipment to the site.The project will take place in <br /> eight phases over 18 months. Over the last quarter, crews have installed a temporary water <br /> main, temporary service lines, and temporary fire hydrants for the first sections of the project <br /> area. We are sending out updates every Friday to give neighbors, businesses, and other <br /> interested stakeholders a projection of the work to expect in the week ahead.To see more <br /> information on this project and sign up for weekly updates, please visit: owasa.org/rosemary. <br /> Ridgefield-Briarcliff Water Main Replacement Project: OWASA is working with a contractor to <br /> replace 18,000 feet of aging water main in the Ridgefield-Briarcliff neighborhood.The project <br /> will also involve cleaning and inspecting sewer mains in the neighborhood. Last quarter, drone <br /> footage of the project area was completed for project mapping, and sewer improvements were <br /> completed in some areas to be upgraded during this project. Utility locate work was completed <br /> last quarter, and construction to replace the water main began in earnest in January.The <br /> project is expected to be complete in fall of 2027. <br />