Agenda - 09-12-2000-2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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S water treatment, quality control testing practices, design and construction of infrastructure, etc.) that govern other public water utilities such as those operated by OWASA, other water utility districts and authorities, municipalities and other local governmental units. The primary regulatory authority over Orange-Alamance is the Public Water Supply Branch of the NC Division of Environmental Health. The water supply branch requires that Orange- Alamance conduct and report daily water tests, approves the use of wells in the system and approves and permits the design of distribution system extension, plant modifications, etc. In the event that quality control testing shows evidence of water contamination, the Water Supply Branch may work with the Orange County Health Department to issue any notices necessary for boiling or curtailing the use of water. Orange-Alamance is also subject to a lesser degree of'regulatory oversight by the NC Division of Water Resources. This agency deals with surface water supply issues related to interbasin transfers and water supply planning (the interrelation of water supply with water demand). Water Resources, through the water supply plan process and coordination with the Public Water Supply Branch, could conceivably compel Orange-Alamance to adopt a moratorium on new water customers in the event that water demand approaches or exceeds system supply capacity. Through its enforcement of interbasin transfer statutes, Water Resources could regulate Orange- Alamance's interbasin transfer of water from the Eno and Neuse River basins to the Haw and Cape Fear River basins, if the interbasin transfer were to increase to a level exceeding the 2.0 mgd regulatory trigger point. As Orange-Alamance's current interbasin transfer does not exceed 800,000 gpd, it is unlikely that such an increase would occur in the foreseeable future. Orange-Alamance is not subject to regulation by either the NC Utilities Commission or Orange County. It is not required to seek Orange County's approval or input when extending its water lines or serving any subdivision within the County's jurisdiction. Orange-Alamance has been invited to Orange County Planning Department staff development review meetings dealing with development projects where Orange-Alamance service extensions are contemplated Orange- Alamance representatives have attended one such meeting, the one in which the large (+/_ 250 unit) McGowan Creek subdivision was discussed. However, there is generally no coordination or discussion between Orange Alamance and the Planning Department with regard to service extensions. Planning staff typically learn about proposed service extensions when developers submit plans with those extensions indicated. The Planning department does require that developers of subdivisions that are proposed for water service from Orange-Alamance provide a letter from Orange-Alamance certifying its intent to provide service. With recent larger scale development projects proposing the extension of water service from Orange- Alamance, the Planning Department has required that developers demonstrate that Orange- Alamance can provide an adequate level of water service. Orange-Alamance does work closely with Orange County, to the benefit of the County, to coordinate providing sewer services to those entities and households within the joint service areas of the Efland sewer system and the Orange-Alamance Water System. Orange-Alamance provides the billing and collection services for the sewer system and enforces payment requirements by curtailing water service to any customer whose sewer bill is unpaid.