HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 08-17-1999 - Water RestrictionsMEMORANDUM
TO: County Commissioners
COPIES: John Link, County Manager
FROM: Paul Thames, PE, County Engine~-
DATE: August 11, 1999
SUBJECT: Stage II Water Shortage Alert relative to Eno River water consumers
As of this time, the water level in Lake Orange is 2.25 feet below the spillway. This represents a fall of
nearly 6 inches since Friday, August 6. In accordance with the provisions of the County's water
conservation ordinance, a Stage II Water Shortage Alert has been declared or enacted under the signature
of the Chair of the BOCC. Pertinent information about this measure, including a list of specific water
conservation measures, has been distributed to the press. Given the rate of decline in the water level at
Lake Orange, it is entirely conceivable that a Stage III Water Shortage Warning, involving mandatory
water conservation measures will have to be declared or enacted by the end of next week. I will, of
course, advise you of that situation should it become necessary.
I have advised the parties to the Eno River Capacity Use Agreement -Hillsborough, Orange-Alamance,
Piedmont Minerals and the NC Division of Water Resources -that the Leve12 (this is a different
leveUstaging system than that of the County's conservation ordinance) water withdrawal limitations are
now in effect. These limitations specify the amount of water that these entities can withdraw from the
Eno and allow them to calculate the quantities of water they must purchase (from water suppliers outside
of the Eno River basin) to make up any shortfall between their respective water withdrawal allowances
and customer demand.
If I may provide additional information, please advise.
PUBLIC PROCLAMATION
REGARDING USE OF WATER OBTAINED
FROM THE PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM
SUPPLIED BY THE ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM, INC. AND
THE TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH AND
FROM ANY RAW WATER SUPPLY WITHIN ORANGE COUNTY USED BY
THE ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM, INC. AND
THE TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH
Pursuant to the provisions of the ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE
CONSERVATION OF WATER DURING A WATER SHORTAGE, RESTRICTING THE
USE OF WATER AND WATER WITHDRAWALS, AND ALLOCATING AUGMENTED
STREAMFLOW FROM RESERVOIRS, I, Alice Gordon, Chair of the Board of County
Commissioners, having been provided with information that the water level of Lake Orange is
more than two feet, below full, do hereby issue this PUBLIC PROCLAMATION declaring to
all persons that a stage II water shortage ALERT is now in effect applicable to users of water
from the public water system supplied by the Orange Alamance Water System, Inc. and Town of
Hillsborough and from any raw water supply within Orange County used by the Orange-
Alamance Water System, Inc. and the Town of Hillsborough. The following voluntary water
conservation measures are now applicable:
1. Use shower for bathing rather than bathtub and limit shower to no more than four (4)
minutes.
2. Limit flushing of toilets by multiple usage.
3. Do not leave faucets running while shaving or rinsing dishes.
4. Limit use of clothes washers and dishwashers and when used, operate fully loaded.
5. Limit lawn watering to that which is necessary for plants to survive.
6. Water shrubbery the minimum required, reusing household water when possible.
7. Limit car washing to the minimum.
8. Do not wash down outside areas such as sidewalks, patios, etc.
9. Install water flow restrictive devices in shower heads.
10. Use disposable and biodegradable dishes.
11. Install water saving devices such as bricks, plastic bottles or commercial units in
toilet tanks.
12. Limit hours of operation ofwater-cooled air conditioners.
This proclamation, and the voluntary conservation restrictions imposed pursuant to it,
shall be in effect until the Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE
CONSERVATION OF WATER DURING A WATER SHORTAGE, RESTRICTING THE
USE OF WATER WITHDRAWALS, AND ALLOCATING AUGMENTED
STREAMFLOW FROM RESERVOIRS" is amended or repealed or until the Chair by Public
Proclamation, declares that the Stage II Water Shortage ALERT is over.
By order of Alice Gordon, Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, issued
this 11th day of August, 1999. r1 ~ - ' ~~ J