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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: November 6, 2002 <br /> Action Agen a <br /> Item No. <br /> SUBJECT: Resolution to Continue Water Conservation Practices <br /> DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Paul Thames, County Engineer, ext <br /> Resolution 2303 <br /> TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br /> Hillsborough 732-8181 <br /> Chapel Hill 968-4501 <br /> Durham 688-7331 <br /> Mebane 336-227-2031 <br /> PURPOSE: As per the request of the BOCC, provide a resolution for Board review and <br /> approval endorsing the continuation of efforts and strategies to conserve potable water supplies <br /> in Orange County. <br /> BACKGROUND: For the last six months, Orange County has been severely impacted by <br /> prolonged and severe drought and ensuing shortages of potable water affecting residents <br /> depending on individual ground water and municipal-type surface water supplies. The County <br /> and the water suppliers have worked closely together to develop strategies (public education on <br /> water conservation techniques, installing water conservation devices on plumbing fixtures, etc.) <br /> and restrictions to protect the public health and welfare by prolonging the life of the area's water <br /> supplies through the drought period. <br /> It now seems, with the appearance of unseasonably early and unusually copious rainfalls of <br /> late, that the drought may be broken and the water supplies replenished. However, all of <br /> Orange County now knows that the threat of drought is real and that the heretofore unthinkable <br /> possibility that an entire region could run out of potable water is a credible threat to the public <br /> welfare. <br /> In dealing with the drought situation, the BOCC has recognized both the possibility of dire water <br /> shortage and the availability of simple technologies and strategies that can enable everyone to <br /> conserve a significant portion of the community's potable water demand. Accordingly, the <br /> Board has determined to adopt a resolution recommending and requesting that residents and <br /> water providers of Orange County remain vigilant for the possibility of disaster as well as to <br /> continue to develop and implement the strategies necessary to avert that disaster by conserving <br /> potable water supplies by all practicable means. <br />