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

Browse Search

S demand is 1.0 mgd and the capacity of its treatment plant is 1.0 mgd, Orange Alamance will from this point forward have to rely on its wells and water purchases to meet its demand even during those times when it is not impacted by low flow conditions in the Eno River. Conclusions There are a number of challenges that now face Orange-Alamance. Included in these is the probability that it soon needs to upgrade the equipment in its water treatment plant and that it faces a demand that often exceeds the treatment capacity of its Eno River plant. However, the mast serious issue that Orange-Alamance faces is a water supply that is insufficient to meet its growing demand. While Orange-Alamance has reduced demand by transferring some of its largest customers to other water systems and may continue to shift whole developments to other water utilities, it continues to gain small developments and individual customers. Same of the shortfall in its surface water supply and treatment capacity may be made up by the use of is ground water wells. However, even though initial indications are that these wells .yield high quality water and relatively high capacity (in excess of 100,000 gpd each) for this area, the quality and capacity of the wells have not been subject to the prolonged stress of constant use. Given the restrictions placed on Eno withdrawals by the Capacity Use Agreement, expanding the treatment capacity of the existing plant will not provide a solution for water supply shortages. Likewise, building another water treatment plant may not be a viable option since Orange-Alamance relinquished state and local protection far the Haw Creek watershed and its ability to develop a raw water intake there. Orange-Alamance does continue to seek guaranteed long-term treated and/or raw water sales agreements with other local jurisdictions with excess water treatment and supply capacity. However, it is unlikely that any jurisdiction will commit to an agreement that requires it to continue selling water to Orange-Alamance once its own surplus capacity has been expended. While Orange-Alamance does have serious water supply issues, in recent history it has not been subject to any regulatory sanction by the agencies that oversee its operations. Orange-Alamance continues to work with the Division of Water Resources to~complete the development of its Water Supply Plan. However, it is certainly conceivable that Water Resources and the Water Supply Branch could eventually impose a moratorium on new customers should Orange Alamance fail to secure guaranteed water supply sources that would serve to meet the system's demand in all but short term emergency situations. It is conceivable that commercial and residential build-out of the Efland-Cheeks community alone could create an additional water demand of 250,000 gpd. Under any circumstance or strategy currently under discussion, it is unlikely that the Orange-Alamance water system will be able to accommodate the water demand of the build-out vfEflond-Cheeks community or the Buckhom Raad Economic Development District. If I may provide additional information or answer questions, please advise. 6