HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-16-1999 - 10cJ
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 16, 1999
Action Agenda
Item # /O-~.
SUBJECT: Report on Chatham County's request to access its Jordan Lake water allocation
through OWASA's Jordan Lake property and approved intake location
DEPARTMENT: County Manager
PUBLIC HEARING: Yes No
BUDGET AMENDMENT: Yes No
INFORMATION CONTACT:
County Engineer Extension 2303
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough - 732-8181
Durham - 688-7331
Mebane - 227-2031
Chapel Hill - 967-9251/968-4501
ATTACHMENT(S):
(under sepazate cover)
Draft County Letter
Carrboro Letter
Chapel Hill resolution
OWASA Letter & attachments
PURPOSE:
To present to the BOCC: a) a report on Chatham County's request to access its Jordan Lake water
supply allocation through OWASA's Jordan Lake property and approved water supply intake site as
well as responses from the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro to OWASA relative to that request; and
b) for the Boazd's review, revision and approval, a draft letter from the BOCC to OWASA outlining the
County's response to the Chatham request.
BACKGROUND:
On October 1, 1998, elected and appointed officials and staff from Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough,
Orange County and OWASA met with elected officials from Chatham County at the OWASA offices in
Cazrboro to discuss utility, planning and watershed protection issues of concern to all. The primary
issue discussed was Chatham County's inability to obtain a sufficient supply of raw water from Jordan
Lake through the existing intake structure, pumping system and raw water mains on the east side of the
lake (controlled by Cary and Apex). Margaret Pollard, Chair of the Chatham BOCC indicated that it
was unlikely that the equipment in the existing intake system could or would be upgraded to meet
Chatham's raw water demands. Ms. Pollazd also indicated that the most viable solution apparent to
Chatham would be for Chatham to withdraw water using the approved intake site on the western side of
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Jordan Lake. She suggested that Chatham County would be willing to participate financially in an
OWASA project to construct the intake structure and associated site infrastructure necessary to provide
raw water to Chatham in the neaz term and to OWASA customers in the long term. Other issues that
were mentioned or discussed during the meeting included: a) increasing the level of watershed
protection within the Chatham County portion of the University Lake watershed using some manner of
land use based density and impervious surface restrictions; b) additional watershed protection measures
for the Jordan Lake watershed; and c) developing interconnections of the Chatham County and OWASA
water systems with attendant contractual agreements necessary for Chatham County and OWASA to aid
one another by sharing water supplies during water shortage emergencies.
The meeting concluded with the understanding that each of the jurisdictions represented on the OWASA
boazd would provide some level of guidance or input to OWASA relative to the policy issues discussed.
By way of a letter from the mayor to the OWASA chair, the Carrboro Board of Aldermen indicated to
OWASA that it could support developing: 1) an emergency water sharing arrangement between
OWASA and Chatham County; and 2) a policy whereby OWASA would allow Chatham County to
access Jordan Lake by way of OWASA's intake rights. The Carrboro board also went on record as not
supporting the use of Jordan Lake water supplies for consumption by OWASA customers. Insofaz as
Chatham's use of OWASA's Jordan Lake intake rights were concerned, the Carrboro boazd
acknowledged that there were a number of considerations to be evaluated to insure the protection of the
interests of all parties.
The Chapel Hill Town Council considered a resolution at its I /25/99 meeting encouraging additional
work by Chatham County and OWASA to explore joint development of OWASA's Jordan Lake intake
site for immediate use by Chatham County and future use by OWASA. Furthermore, the Chapel Hill
resolution proposed that Chatham and Orange Counties, the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill and
OWASA work jointly to encourage that a study and long term plan be initiated to protect and preserve
Jordan Lake water quality.
Orange County staff has created a draft letter from the BOCC to the OWASA Board of Directors
recommending that OWASA: 1) explore the use of OWASA's potential intake site to provide access to
Jordan Lake water supplies for Chatham County while preserving future access for OWASA; 2) work
with potential user of Jordan Lake water to explore watershed and water quality protection strategies;
and 3) work with Chatham County to develop enhanced ~~atershed and water quality protection
strategies for University Lake water supplies.
ENGINEER'S NOTE #1 (Mazch 3. 19991: On 17 Februan 1999, a number of local governments and
water suppliers including OWASA, Durham and Chatham C uunty met with state water resources
officials to discuss strategies for drawing water raw water from Jordan Lake by some means other than
the Cary/Apex intake/pumping facilities. Strategies discussed included: 1) having the state and/or the
water utilities construct the intake/pumping facilities for a western intake at or neaz the OWASA
property, with the construction/development costs allocated on a pro rata shaze calculated on the basis of
the actual quantity of water withdrawn by each user; and ~') having Chatham County construct its own
$3.3 million intake/pumping facility on the western side of the lake. OWASA staff indicated a strong
interest in participating in developing anintake/pumping facility. Chatham officials indicated that
Chatham had forecast an acute need for additional water from Jordan Lake by the end of the next 18
3
months. There was some discussion about asking the state legislature to address the need for a western
intake/pumping facility in this yeaz's session.
Insofaz as Orange County interests aze concerned, there aze several potential implications to any decision
as to how a Jordan Lake raw water intake/pumping facility is constructed and controlled. Jordan Lake
represents a future (ten or more years in the future) supply of water for at least the southern part of the
County. It is incumbent on the County -probably through OWASA - to insure that whatever option is
chosen to construct and control the raw water withdrawal facilities preserves the ability to use Jordan
Lake as a County water supply. It is highly probable that any scenario will physically impact OWASA's
Jordan Lake property. Therefore, under any construction/control scenario, OWASA and the County
must take the precautions that aze required to preserve the overall usefulness of that property for the
purposes for which it was originally intended. These uses include, but aze not necessarily limited to,
locating OWASA raw water pumping and transmission facilities, and perhaps water treatment facilities
as well.
Insofaz as the entire region is concerned, it is probably best if the western intake/pumping facility is
financed, constructed and/or controlled by the state. The state could then ensure that all holders of
withdrawal rights on the western side of Jordan Lake have adequate access to the water. Apex and Cary
own and control the east side facilities and thus control access to the water drawn through those
facilities. They have, for all intents and purposes, shut off or drastically limited access to Jordan Lake
from the east side. The issue of the Apex/Cary control of the east side of Jordan Lake is the primary
reason that Chatham County has been forced to seek another means of accessing the lake. If the state
does not agree to take responsibility for the western intake/pumping facility, the second best option is for
all of the potential water suppliers that would normally use the western facility to move forward with a
regional effort to finance, develop and control the facility. While this option does create difficulties in
terms of coordinating financing, construction, operation, management, etc., it could provide perhaps the
best means of avoiding the access problems evidenced at the eastern intake/pumping facilities. Another
option would be for Chatham County to construct its own intake and pumping facility. It is unlikely that
Chatham would be able to finance development of intake/pumping facilities of a capacity sufficient to
meet the ultimate demands of all water suppliers seeking access to raw water through these facilities.
Accordingly, this option would provide no opportunity to coordinate western side access to Jordan
Lake's water supplies. An advantage inherent in either the state or Chatham County taking
responsibility for the intake/pumping facility would be that the OWASA customer base would not be
financially affected by the associated capital expenditures, at least in the short term.
ENGINEER'S NOTE #2 (Mazch 9, 19991: I have spoken «ith Tom Fransen of the Division of Water
Resources, the state agency chazged with the responsibility for allocating Jordan Lake water resources
and, to some extent, regulating physical access to the lake itself (in conjunction with the US Army Corps
of Engineers). Mr. Fransen advises me that the Division of Water Resources is currently working with
Chatham, Cary and Apex to determine if it really is impossible to provide Chatham access to its
allocation through the existing Cary/Apex intake/ pumping facilities. He also advised me that it will
probably be years, if ever, before the state could and would accept responsibility for constructing,
owning, operating, maintaining, etc., anintake/pumping facility on the western side of Jordan Lake.
Such a process would require enabling legislation in which the Legislature would: 1) adopt regulations
establishing the process by which the state would move forward with such a project and process; and 2)
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provide the funding necessary to accomplish the construction and to provide the operation and
maintenance costs. Mr. Fransen indicated that his own agency is split as to whether the state should
undertake the responsibility for owning and operating the intake/pumping facility.
Complicating the process under which the state could and would take responsibility for the western
intake aze a number of additional concerns and political pressures relative to the entire Jordan Lake
allocation and withdrawal process from jurisdictions downstream of Jordan Lake. These jurisdictions
are concerned about the assimilative capacity of the Cape Fear (for dischazges of treated wastewater) and
the effect of Jordan Lake instream flow augmentation releases and allocations on that capacity. It is
likely that there will be at least some political level opposition from these jurisdictions and their
legislators to anything that would facilitate withdrawals from Jordan Lake (as opposed to allowing the
water to be released for instream flow augmentation).
In conclusion, there does not appeaz to be any potential for developing a regional solution to the western
Jordan Lake intake/pumping facility issue that would be sufficiently prompt to satisfy Chatham County.
It appears that Chatham options will include: a) depending on the state to convince Cary and Apex to
provide more water from their intake/pumping facility; b) negotiating an arrangement with OWASA for
constructing anintake/pumping facility; or c) constructing their own intake/pumping facility.
RECOMMENDATION: The Administration recommends that the BOCC:
1. Receive and review the attached material including the draft of the letter providing input to
OWASA
2. Identify the major issues that the BOCC wishes to address, including any new issues raised in the
Engineer's notes
3. Direct staff to revise the letter as necessary to accurately reflect BOCC intentions
4. Direct the staff to bring the revised letter back for BOCC review and approval (at a future
meeting)
s-
D~3Glff~
March 16, 1999
Mr. Daniel C. VanderMeer, Chair
Board of Directors
Orange Water and Sewer Authority
PO Box 366
Carrboro, NC 27510-0366
Dear Mr. VanderMeer:
The Orange County Board of Commissioners offers the following comments regarding the
local water supply and water quality protection issues discussed at the October 1, 1998 meeting
involving Orange and Chatham Counties, the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Hillsborough,
and OWASA.
Clearly our region's explosive growth makes it imperative that all local jurisdictions work
together to protect the quality of all of our natural resources and promote the most
environmentally sound usage of those resources.
Orange County is located in the upper portions of a number of important and
environmentally sensitive water supply river systems. Consequently we are acutely conscious of
the need to be judicious in our efforts to be good stewards of our available water resources, and
of the need to work with the local governmental jurisdictions within and adjacent to Orange
County to develop the strategies and accomplish the goals consistent with that stewardship.
In accordance with this philosophy, the Orange County $oard of Commissioners
commends OWASA on its efforts to bring stakeholders in local water supply issues together to
discuss issues of mutual concern. Relative to the issues raised at the October ls` meeting, the
Board of County Commissioners is of course interested in facilitating a solution for Chatham
County's water needs. Since there have been additional discussions on this issue since
October 1 ~, it would be very helpful for Orange County to receive clarification concerning the
options open to Chatham County at the present time, including Chatham County's preferred
solution. If an intake on the western side of Jordan Lake is the preferred option, then Orange
County would be interested in having discussion with OWASA; state and federal authorities
controlling access to and allocation of Jordan Lake water supplies; other local jurisdictions
having interest in Jordan Lake's available water supplies; and Chatham County, in consultation
.~
Mr. Daniel C. VanderMeer
March 16, 1999
page 2
DG3Glff4
with the Authority's constituent governments, to explore the use of OWASA's property as a
potential intake side to provide access to Jordan Lake water supplies for Chatham County while
still ensuring that OWASA's potential access to its Jordan Lake allocation is preserved.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners is ready to join all existing and potential users of
Jordan Lake water supplies in studying, developing and implementing effective watershed and
water quality protection strategies. The Orange County Board of Commissioners is similarly
ready to work with Chatham County to discuss, develop and implement enhanced watershed and
water quality protection strategies for University Lake water supplies.
If I may provide any additional input or staff assistance, please contact me at your earliest
convenience. I would appreciate your advising the Board of County Commissioners when
OWASA has ascertained the range of options for meeting Chatham County's water needs,
including their preferred option.
Sincerely,
Alice M. Gordon, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
cc
Chatham County Board of Commissioners
November 30, 1998
TOWN OF CARRBORO
NORTH CAROLINA
Mr. Dan VanderMeer, Chair
OWASA Board of Directors
P.O. Box 366
Carrboro, N.C. 27510
Dear Mr. VanderMeer:
p~c~~ud~
DEC S 1998 D
At the October 1°` joint meeting between the local governments and the OWASA Board, it
was determined that each local government would discuss a number of issues raised by
Margaret Pollard, Chair of the Chatham County Board of Commissioners. It was further
determined that each jurisdiction would provide guidance to OWASA.
Pursuant to that discussion, the Carrboro Board of Aldermen and I have discussed Chatham
County's request for cooperation onwater-related issues.
First, it should be noted that the Carrboro Board of Aldermen is interested in being a good
neighbor to our friends in Chatham County. We believe our future is closely connected to
theirs and that it is in the best interest of all parties to cooperate whenever and wherever
reasonably possible.
Second, with regard to the specific issued raised at the October 1'` meeting, we provide the
following input for your consideration:
a) Carrboro does not support the notion of OWASA extracting water from
Jordan Lake for consumption by OWASA customers.
b) Carrboro could support sharing water with Chatham during emergencies.
c) Carrboro supports developing a policy, which would allow Chatham County,
access to Jordan Lake water via OWASA' S intake rights. We acknowledge
that there are any number of considerations that must be explored to ensure.
that the interests of all parties are secure.
301 WEST MAIN STREET. CARRBORO. NC 27510 • 18191 942-8541 • FAX 19191 988.7737 • TDD 19191 968.7717
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Page 2
Mr. VanderMeer
November 30, 1998
If you have further questions or need clarification, please don't hesitate to call.
Sincerely,
~i
Michael Nelson
Mayor
Cc: Margaret Brown, Chair, Orange County Board of Commissioners
Rosemary Waldorf, Mayor, Town of Chapel .Hill
Horace Johnson, Mayor, Town of Hillsborough
M aret Pollard, Chair, Chatham County Board of Commissioners
ohn Link, Orange County Manager
Cal Horton, Chapel Hill Town Manager
Eric Peterson, Hillsborough Town Manager
Bob Morgan, Carrboro Town Manager
Ed Kerwin, Executive Director, OWASA
Members of the OWASA Board of Directors
1
b ~ rr
~y .~ s.~ J
o~~x CARCVt{
TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL
3OE1 NORTH COLUMBIA STREET
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA 27S 1 fi
OFFICE OF THH MAYOR (919) 968-2714
FAX (919) 967-8406
February 3, 1999
Chairperson Alice Gordon DISTRIBUTED
Orange County Commissioners
P.O. Box 8181 S -C3/G
Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278 /- P~.rc. T~....,e
/ - ~ 4 :M k
Deaz Chairperson n: ~~~ F~ ~~ /L3 ~
Attached is a copy of a resolution adopted by the Council at its January 29a' meeting. The
Council supports Chatham County's use of OWASA owned land to draw water from Jordan Lake,
provided such use is compatible with OWASA's long-term plans. The Council also encourages all
users and potential users of Jordan Lake water to initiate a study and long-term plan to preserve Jordan
Lake's water quality.
Please let us know how if you have any questions regazding the Council's position on this item.
Sincerely,
Rosemary I. Waldorf
Mayor
I, Joyce A. Smith, CMC, Interim Town .Clerk of the Town of Chapel Hill,
North Carolina, hereby~certify that the attached is a true and correct copy of
Resolution (99-1-25/R-12) adopted by the Chapel Hill Town Council on
January 25,.1999.
This the 29`~ of January, 1999.
A RESOLUTION ADVISING OWASA OF THE CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL'S
POLICY GUIDANCE REGARDING CHATHAM COUNTY'S REQUEST TO OWASA
TO COOPERATE IN THE USE OF WATER FROM JORDAN LAKE (99-1-25/R-12)
WHEREAS, Jordan Lake represents an important future raw water supply option for OWASA
and the citizens of Chapel Hill; and
WHEREAS, the development of raw and finished water supplies can be an impetus to growth
and development of heretofore undeveloped azeas; and
WHEREAS, sewer lines in watersheds, high amounts of impervious surface, and many point
sources degrade the quality and increase the treatment expenses of our drinking water; aa3
WHEREAS, growth in the University Lake watershed is of concern to the Chapel Hill Town
Council and those who drink water from University Lake; and
WHEREAS, .the Chapel Hill Town Council believes that the Chatham County Board of
Commissioners understands their concerns; and
WHEREAS, all jurisdictions share an interest in protecting the Jordan Lake water supply.
watershed; and
WHEREAS, the Chatham County Board of Commissioners has expressed interest in
collaborating with OWA5A on developing a water intake system at Jordan Lake; and
WHEREAS, OWASA has solicited feedback from its constituent governing boazds; and
WHEREAS, Chapel Hill Town Council recognizes the potential environmental, technical, and
economic benefits of a collaborative project with Chatham County:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the
Council support Chatham County's use of OWASA owned land that may be suitable for the
siting of an intake and other facilities necessary to draw water from Jordan Lake, to the extent
such use is compatible with OWASA's long-term plans.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council invites Chatham County, Carrboro, Orange
County and OWASA to join Chapel Hill in encouraging all users and potential users to initiate a
study and long-term plan to preserve 3ordan Lake's water quality.
This the 25a' day of January, 1999.
OWASA
ORANGE WATER & SEWER AUTHORITY
Quality Service Since 1977
December 18, 1998
Mr. Rick Givens, Chairman
Chatham County Board of Commissioners
P.O. Box 87
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Dr. Alice Gordon, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Post Office Box 8181
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Mayor Horace Johnson
Town of Hillsborough
Post Office Box 429
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Mayor Michael Nelson
Town of Carrboro
301 West Main Street
Carrboro, NC 27510
Mayor Rosemary Waldorf
Town of Chapel Hill
306 North Columbia Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
V ~S .~_.__yl
I~
DEC 2 1 1~~:3
SUBJECT: Discussion Paper on Jordan Lake Water Supply Options for OWASA
Dear Mr. Givens, Dr. Gordon, Mayor Johnson, Mayor Nelson, and Mayor Waldorf:
The. OWASA Board of Directors has requested me to send the attached discussion paper to all
local government participants in the October 1, 1998 "Jordan Lake as a Regional Resource"
meeting.
We believe that further collaboration between OWASA and Chatham County offers resource
management, environmental, and economic benefits that will not be realized if future Jordan
Lake water supply decisions are based only on the needs of individual users.
However, we request that you offer clear and concise policy guidance to OWASA so that we
may determine as soon as possible whether to proceed with, or defer, any further consideration
of joint efforts with Chatham County in this matter.
We look forward to your response and further discussion when we reconvene in March 1999 as
agreed at our joint meeting of October 1, 1998.
400 Jones Ferry Road Equal Opportunity Employer Voice (919) 968-4421
PO Box 366 Printed on Recycled Paper FAX (919) 968-4464
Carrboro, NC 27510-0366 www. otrasa. or{r
Mr. Givens, Dr. Gordon, Mayor Johnson, Mayor Nelson, and Mayor Waldorf
December 18, 1998
Page 2
Please feel free to call on OWASA for any additional information or clarification that you may
need in the meantime.
Sincerely,
~~~~
~~
Dan C. VanderMeer
Chairman
DCV/jr
Enclosure
c: OWASA Board of Directors
Mr. Tom Fransen, Chief, Water Allocation Section, NC Division of Water Resources
Mr. John Moms, Director, NC Division of Water Resources
Mr. Charlie Horne, Chatham County Manager
Mr. Cal Horton, Chapel Hill Town Manager
Mr. John Link, Orange County Manager
Mr. Robert Morgan, Carrboro Town Manager
Mr. Eric Peterson, Hillsborough Town Manager
Ed Kerwin, OWASA Executive Director
OWASA ORANGE WATER & SEWER AUTHORITY
Quality Service Since 1977
Discussion Paper
Jordan Lake Options for OWASA
December 18,1998
What's the purpose of this discussion paper?
This paper provides follow up information to the "Jordan Lake as a Regional Water Source" meeting
among officials of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Chatham County, Hillsborough, Orange County, and Orange
Water and Sewer Authority held on October 1, 1998. The OWASA Board of Directors discussed this
information at their December 10, 1998 meeting with the intent that this discussion paper would support
discussions of individual elected boards as they work with Chatham County on matters of mutual interest,
including collaborations or possible cooperation between OWASA and Chatham County on development
of water resources.
What happened at the October 1,1998 joint meeting?
A representative of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources provided an
informational presentation about Jordan Lake, the allocation process, its value as a regional resource, and
the expectation that only one water intake site will be developed on the western side of Jordan Lake.
Representatives from each of the local entities briefly described their respective long and short term
interests in Jordan Lake. The central question of the meeting was posed by Chatham County: "Is there
interest in OWASA working with Chatham County to develop an intake, even if Chatham needs it
earlier than OWASA would otherwise7"
The meeting participants agreed to discuss this question and related issues within their individual boards
and reconvene as a large group during the first week in March 1999. A date and location have not yet
been specified (Attachment 1).
What are OWASA's long and short term interests in Jordan Lake?
Jordan Lake represents an important future raw water supply option for OWASA. Existing sources at
University Lake, Cane Creek, and the Stone Quarry Reservoir, as well as the potential benefit of an
expanded Stone Quarry Reservoir, can not sustain the community's needs indefinitely. OWASA is
committed to maintaining a viable and reliable range of future options. More detailed information on the
extent and timing of future water needs is currently being developed through OWASA's Comprehensive
Water and Sewer Master Plan project. Preliminary water supply and demand data will be available by the
spring of 1999.
400 Jones Ferry Road E9ua1 Opportunity Employer Voice (919) 968-4421
PO Box 366 Printed on Recycled Paper FAX (919 j 968-4464
Carrboro, NC 27510-0366 ww-is:oHasa.org
Discussion Paper -- Jordan Lake Options for OWASA
December 18, 1998
Page 2
What stake does OWASA already have in Jordan Lake?
Since 1988, OWASA has held a Level II (long term) allocation of 10 percent of Jordan Lake's water
supply storage capacity. This is expected to support an average withdrawal of 10 million gallons per day
(mgd). OWASA makes an annual payment of approximately $19,000 to the N.C. Department of
Environment and Natural Resources for this allocation. Additionally, OWASA owns 125 acres of land
adjacent to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property on the western side of Jordan Lake, south of Highway
64 (Attachment 2). OWASA purchased 88 acres in 1989 and 37 acres in 1995 for a total cost of
$550,000. The Corps' amended Jordan Lake Master Plan designates an offshore intake site adjacent to
this area, per recommendations of an engineering study conducted for OWASA in 1991 at a cost of
.$35,000. It is important to note that no regulatory action has been taken to grant OWASA or any other
entity the right to use this site for water withdrawal purposes.
OWASA currently has a $60,000 contract with NCDOT to install a casement under U.S. 64 in the vicinity
of Mt. Gilead Church Road as part of the U.S. 64 improvement project. This will allow the installation of
a future water transmission line without the major expense of boring or tunneling under the highway.
Similar arrangements are planned as NCDOT improves Highway 15-501.
What do we know about Jordan Lake's water quality?
Data available from the past 10 years indicate that water quality in Jordan Lake is good and nearly
indistinguishable in quality from other Triangle area water supply reservoirs, except in the northernmost
section upstream of S.R.1008, where it is highly enriched with nutrients.
Comprehensive watershed/water quality studies exist for other important reservoirs in the Triangle region,
but no such study has been conducted for Jordan Lake. Consequently, there is no credible technical basis
for estimating the water quality impacts of development projects or other activities proposed near Jordan
Lake or in the watershed: Since 1988, OWASA has participated in the Triangle Area Water Supply
Monitoring Program, which has several sampling sites in Jordan Lake and .expects to contribute funds and
staff support to the Jordan Lake watershed study proposed by the Triangle J Council of Governments.
Additionally, OWASA plans to participate in special efforts to develop and calibrate a nutrient response
model in order to determine whether nitrogen removal is warranted at wastewater treatment plants
upstream of Jordan Lake. .
What facilities would OWASA need to withdraw water from Jordan Lake?
Three basic systems would be needed to withdraw water from Jordan Lake and treat it at the OWASA's
Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Carrboro: (1) intake system, (2) two pumping
stations, and (3) a transmission pipeline.
Intake facilities would be located to provide water in sufficient quantities, even during low lake levels.
The intake must draw from multiple levels in the lake in order to obtain the highest quality water at any
given time.
Discussion Paper -- Jordan Lake Options for OWASA
December 18, 1998
Page 3
The intake structure could be located either onshore or offshore. An onshore structure would be served by
multiple underground pipes extending into the lake at different depths below the water surface
(Attachment 3). An offshore structure located in the lake would employ multiple intake gates at different
depths providing water back to shore through a single pipeline (Attachment 4). The preferred intake
configuration would be determined through additional engineering analysis.
A pumping station is needed to transport water from the intake system through approximately 15 miles of
transmission pipeline to OWASA's WTP. An additional booster pump station would be needed to
overcome friction losses and elevation changes between Jordan Lake and Carrboro. A potential pipeline
route is shown in Attachment 5.
How much will these facilities cost?
The cost figures provided are very preliminary and represent rough estimates only.
Facilities Cost Assumptions
Water Intake System $2.0 million 50 mgd intake structure with 1,000 feet of piping
Pumping Stations $5.9 million 50 mgd pumping station structure with 10 mgd
of installed capacity and a 10 mgd booster
pumping station
Transmission Pipeline $18.6 million 80,000 feet of 36 inch pipeline
Total $26.5 million
What options are available to OWASA and Chatham County for collaborating on the
withdrawal and transmission of water from Jordan Lake? What are their
advantages and disadvantages?
There appear to be five basic options available for collaboration, but substantially more engineering work.
will be needed to identify and develop the list of possible options:
1. Do not collaborate on any facility development at this time, but allow OWASA's property
to be used by Chatham County or others.
2. Collaborate on a joint intake system only.
3. Collaborate on an intake system and make a portion of OWASA's Jordan
Lake property available for Chatham County to use in pumping raw water to its
own treatment plant.
4. Collaborate on an intake system and pumping station at the lake.
5. Collaborate on an intake system, pumping station at the lake, and portions of the
transmission pipeline.
Discussion Paper -- Jordan Lake Options for OWASA
December 18, 1998
Page 4
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources have
expressed the strong desire to have only one intake system located on the west side of Jordan Lake.
Limiting construction to one facility would minimize environmental and community disruptions and
provide substantial economies of scale.
The only known disadvantage to OWASA in proceeding with a joint intake system would be the
expenditure of capital .funds in advance of OWASA's actual need for the facility. Depending on the scale,
cost, and financing method for project, it is possible that present value costs to OWASA should be lower
under this near term collaborative scenario than if OWASA deferred its investment to the future.
Cooperation on a joint pumping and transmission system would provide many of the same benefits noted
above, but because these facilities must be carefully tailored to the specific needs of each user, they are
less accurately estimated in advance than the more generic requirements for an intake system. OWASA
would incur significant additional expenses before such facilities were needed if it participated with
Chatham County in a joint project to provide pumping and transmission facilities in addition to an intake
system.
If OWASA and Chatham County cooperate on a joint intake system, OWASA believes that it could make
a portion of its Jordan Lake property available for Chatham County to use in pumping raw water to its
treatment plant.
What other utilities might share a cooperative interest in a regional intake system?
Orange County, Durham, and possibly Greensboro might have a future interest in Jordan Lake water.
Cary and Apex might be interested in supporting an intake structure on the western side of Jordan Lake
with sufficient capacity to supply their own needs during an emergency or shutdown of their existing
intake on the eastern side of the lake. These possibilities and others will be evaluated through OWASA's
Comprehensive Water and Sewer Master Plan Project now underway.
Are there any other collaborative opportunities to consider?
There can be substantial local and regional benefits if OWASA, Chatham County, and others participate
in a Jordan Lake watershed study. Other regional benefits beyond OWASA's purview might be
facilitated through OWASA's participation with Chatham County on an intake system.
As mentioned on previous occasions, it would be highly desirable to OWASA and its customers if the
zoning and development requirements in Chatham County's portion of the University Lake watershed
were consistent with rules in place in Orange County's and Carrboro's jurisdictions.
At some time in the future OWASA will require Chatham County's approval to construct the
infrastructure needed to transmit water from Jordan Lake to OWASA's facilities in Orange County.
Discussion Paper -- Jordan Lake Options for OWASA
December 18, 1998
Page 5
OWASA and Chatham County have agreed to establish an emergency only finished water interconnection
along U.S. 15-501 at the Orange County line. Chatham has already invested $120,000 to extend its 16-
inch pipeline to the OWASA system. This emergency only interconnection will provide long-term benefit
to both parties.
What is OWA5A's recommendation?
OWASA believes there would be substantial environmental, technical, and economic benefits from
collaborating with Chatham County to develop a regional raw water intake system at Jordan Lake, even
though OWASA is not expected to need Jordan Lake water for at least ten years (this estimate is currently
being refined through OWASA's Comprehensive Water and Sewer Master Plan project). OWASA does
not propose participating in the joint development of pumping and transmission facilities from Jordan
Lake to OWASA at this time due to the high costs and relative absence of short term need. There may be
an opportunity to make a portion of OWASA's Jordan Lake property available for Chatham County to
use in pumping raw water to its own treatment plant. Additional engineering analysis is needed to more
fully evaluate these opportunities.
The OWASA Board of Directors believes that it is highly desirable that the March 1999 follow-up
meeting with local governments and the OWASA Board be scheduled as suggested during the October 1,
1998 Joint Meeting. Given the range of collaborative arrangements that presently exist or are possible for
the future, it would be beneficial for all parties to establish and reinforce a strong constructive partnership
with Chatham County at the earliest opportunity.
Whatever the outcome of future meetings of Chatham County officials with their counterparts from
Orange County, OWASA staff should maintain close communications with Chatham County engineering
personnel to monitor the development of the Chatham water supply and distribution system and to
identify opportunities for technical cooperation.
~~~ ~~~~~
f
Dan C. VanderMeer
Chairman
ATTACHMENT 1
Notes from Joint 1VXeeting between Carrboro, Chapel Hilt, Chatham County,
Hillsborough, Orange County, and OWASA
Topic: Jordan Lake as a Regional Water Source
October l., 1.998
Ground Rules (Meeting Facilitator Peg Carlson,l<nstitute of Government)
• Focus on interests, not positions
• Stay focused
• Test assumptions
• Make statements and invite questions
Presentation By Tom Fransen, North Carolina Aepartment Of Environmental
And Natural Resources, bivision Of Water Resources
What Are 'S'our Short- And Long-Term interests Xn Jordan Lake?
C/rape! Hil!
Interested in protecting water quality and preserving OWASA's access and allocation. No
immediate need, but want to keep Jordan Lake as a future resource.
Hillsborou~/r
Want OWASA to keep options open in case we need water in the future (tong-term, not short-
term)_
Chat/ram County
We have both immediate and long term interests to meet our growing needs. We see current
intake as a possibility and would like to use the OWASA intake location soon, if possible. We
are at maximum capacity some days now, we want to create a partnership around this regional
resource.
Carrboro,
We have no short-term water needs and may not have long-term needs_ We are interested in
cooperating with Chatham County to meet emergency needs.
Oran; a Courrty
Interested in maintaining high water quality and working with others to accomplish this. We
have maintained our allocation and are interested in protecting this allocation and making
efficient use of the intake.
OWASA
Long-term interest in maintaining 10 MGD allocation and access to the land we own at Jordan
Lake. We support the watershed study and are open to collaborating with neighboring utility
providers, subject to local policy goals. We are interested in maintaining water quality as well.
Question Posed By Chatham Countx
• is there interest in OWASA working with Chatham County to develop an intake, even if Chatham
needs it earlier than OWASA would otherwise?
4uestions Raised By Participants
• What is the level of participation needed by the various governmental entities (e.g., amount of
capital required, short-term vs. long-term costs of developing intake at this time)?
• What is driving Chatham County's need (e.g., amount of development)?
• Under what conditions might Chatham share/use OWASA's intake location? What are the
options?
• Does Chatham have an interest in working with Orange County governments to maintain a rural
buffer in southern Orange/northern Chatham area?
• Is Jordan Lake indeed considered a regional water supply? Is Chatham included in the region?
• Who should be involved in this discussion (i.e., governing boards' role vs. OWASA's role)?
• Can we develop a clear sense of each jurisdictions directinterests in Chatham`s use ofJordan
lake?
• In the long term, will Orange County entities need to take water from Jordan Cake?
• What will OWASA's master plan indicate-about its timing for the need of Jordan Lake's water?
• What forum should this issue come back to? Are participating entities willing to have a
conversation with their entire boards and then come back together to discuss?
• If Chatham County can act on its own, what is its incentive to cooperate on land use, etc.?
The Particiaatin~ Orange County Entities Agreed To Have A Conversation
With Their Entire Boards And Then Come Back Together To Discuss
Chatham-County's Use Of The OWASA Intake Site On Jordan Lake TheX
Identified Several Pieces Of information That They Needed Before Thex
Would Have This Board Discussion
1. Information from OWASA on projected water use, options Tor (and cost of) developing
intake site
2. Information from Chatham County regarding water needs
3. Exchange of land use plans and utility line plans between Orange and Chatham counties
4. Engineering information on the possibility of building an intake sie that could be
expanded, later
5. (Possibly) Chatham's estimate of the value of the property lost to Jordan Lake
Target date for boards to meet again to discuss interest in participating in cooperative dialogue with
Chatham County: first week in March 1999 (specific date to be determined).
Prepared by Peg Carlson_
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