Agenda - 09-16-2008 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

2 0 Lake. There are also some issues with the intake with Cary. All of Chatham County's water supply comes from Jordan Lake. Chair Carey asked how long the agreement was with Cary to access water through its intake and David Hughes said 50 years. Chatham County Commissioner vice-Chair George Luaer said that Chatham County is irrterested in a western intake. It is his understanding that there will only be two intakes allowed in the lake, and there is already one from Cary. He said that a strong justification to get an increase would require a regional approach. Mac Clarke made reference to the statement from OWASA, which was distributed to all. Commissioner Jacobs asked Mac Clarke to talk about the study that is underway that irnolves UNC, OWASA, Durham, and Cary. Mac Clarke said that this is a I~nr-level study in that funding has been limited and it is proceeding slowly. It is basically a discussion of utility bodies in the area to see if then: can be cooperation. Ed Holland, OWASA Planning Director, said that OWASA is partiapating along with Cary and Dufiam in the study looking at optimizing the interconnected water supplies around Jordan Lake. The work right now is focused on the feasibility of moving enough water around to meet needs and manage risks through existing and enhanced facilities. This is the second year of the study, which is costing $40,000 a year total, and which is being split between the three utilities. .Commissioner Jacobs asked why it was Beaded not to include Chatham County and Ed Holland said that his understanding was that Chatham County was contacted. Gorge Luaer said that he is a new Commissioner, but he has no recollection of this. Chair Carey asked if was too late to involve Chatham County since the study began two years ago and Ed Holland said no, not in his opinion. George Luaer said that he is interested, but he cannot speak for the other four Courrty Commissioners. George Luaer and Ed Holland will try to faalitate the involvement of Chatham County in the study. Commissioner Jacobs asked about the work befinreen OWASA and Chatham County. County Manager Charlie Home said that then: have been discussions over the years about the potential for a regional water system or an intake on the western side of the lake with a regional partnership. Ed Kerwin said that from OWASA's point of view, they are working hard not to have to use Johan Lake, but to use its own local resources (University Lake, Cane Creek reservoir, etc.). He said that it is still prudent for them to hold onto the present allocation. The goal is to have a collaborative process with all jurisdictions irnoNed. Discussion ensued on the use of chloromine for disinfec#ion of water. Ed Kervvin said that it is a must for OWASA for disinfection purposes. Chair Carey said that he hopes there will be regional collaboration from this meeting with the interested entities. George Luaer said that he is hearing that as Chatham County tries to move fonnrani on their water supply issue, that all would be willing to work in an regional format to help them address this issue. Commissioner Jacobs said that he would like a summary of what Chatham County and OWASA have been discussing over the past eight years on this topic so that there is some framework of what has been on the table. He said that if Chatham County is interested in regional cooperation and the others are too, then this type of information would be helpful to all. He said that Orange County has a 1 million gallon per day allocation that could be used as some kind of leverage maybe with Durham. There is an EDD that needs senriang, and maybe there could be a discounted rate on the water that is supplied.