Agenda - 09-16-2003-6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chair Margaret Brown, Mayor Michael Nelson, and Mayor Kevin Foy June 27, 2003 Page 2 3 Demand Management Possibilities We are continuing to examine the costs and benefits of a number of demand management (conservation) alternatives that may extend our available water supply and reduce our vulnerability to severe droughts. Some of these measures could be instituted through OWASA, such as a rebate program for replacing older high-consumption toilets with new (and effective) ultra-low flow toilets; or a voluntary water audit program that provides expert technical assistance to high volume water customers who want to reduce their water use. We are also reviewing other demand management measures that might be implemented through the Towns and County, such as water-saving landscape guidelines for new development or time-of--sale ordinances that require the replacement of old plumbing fixtures with new water-saving fixtures whenever an existing property is resold or renovated. We will complete a staff report on the costs, benefits, and implementability of these and other measures within the next few months and we will keep you advised as to how you may be able to support us. Revised Water Supply and Demand Projections We are currently reviewing and revising the estimated safe yield of our Cane Creek/University Lake/Stone Quarry reservoir system in both its current and future (expanded) configurations. We are applying a more sophisticated analytical method than was used for our Comprehensive Water and Sewer Master Plan project several years ago and are also incorporating streamflow from the record- setting drought of 2001-2002. We are also revising long-term water demand projections to reflect information from the University's 2008 Development Plan, Central Campus Master Plan, and preliminary Carolina North water use estimates -all of which were developed after OWASA's Master Plan was completed in 2000. Preliminary indications are that long-term demands will be somewhat higher than the "expected" curve, but less than the "high" growth curve of our Master Plan. We will share the revised water supply and demand projections with you once we complete our review later this year. Thanks again for adopting the new conservation ordinance and for your continuing commitment to and leadership on sustainable water resource management. We look forward to keeping you up-to- date on these important initiatives in the months ahead. Please let Ed Kerwin, Executive Director, or me know if you need additional information or assistance. Sincerely, ~ ~.~->.~.~ti Bernadette Pelissier, Chair OWASA Board of Directors c: Mr. Michael Brough, Interim Carrboro Town Manager Mr. W. Calvin Horton, Chapel Hill Town Manager Mr. John Link, Orange County Manager Ms. Nancy Suttenfield, Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration Ms. Carolyn Elfland, Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus Services Mr. Ray DuBose, Director, Energy Services Department OWASA Board of Directors Ed Kerwin, Executive Director