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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 01-16-2003OWASA January 10, 2003 ORANGE WATER & SEWER AUTHORITY Quality Service Since 1977 Chair Mazgazet Brown Mayor Michael Nelson Mayor Kevin Foy Orange County Board of Town of Carrboro Town of Chapel Hill Commissioners ~ 310 West Main Street 306 North Columbia Street Post Office Box 8181 Carrboro, NC 27510 Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Hillsborough, NC 27278 SUBJECT: JOINT MEETING ON JANUARY 16, 2003 REGARDING OWASA'S DRAFT NEW WATER CONSERVATION ORDINANCE AND RULES Deaz Chair Brown, Mayor Nelson, and Mayor Foy: We look forwazd to meeting with you and the Board of Commissioners, the Boazd of Aldermen and the Town Council on Thursday, January 16, 2003, at 7:30 PM at the Century Center in Carrboro to discuss OWASA's Draft New Water Conservation Ordinance and Rules. Enclosed for your review aze: / The draft meeting agenda: / OWASA's Draft New Water Conservation Ordinance and Rules. This draft reflects the OWASA Boazd's discussions through Thursday, January 9~' and it supersedes previous versions that you may have seen or read about. / A brief summary of the draft new water conservation ordinance requirements. Please note that additional information will be provided at the meeting. The primary purpose of the Joint Meeting is for the OWASA Board to have a "work session" with its constituent governments to explain our draft changes and receive your initial feedback. Your comments will be very useful as we work to prepare a Final Draft Ordinance for your consideration in the neaz future. We have developed this draft ordinance and rules through a highly participative process which included a Public Forum on November 20, 2002 and public feedback at numerous OWASA Board meetings. Our "stakeholders" have played an important role in the development of this work and they will receive this information. While public input may not be anticipated at the Joint Meeting, we look forward to continuing to work with our stakeholders to develop our Final Draft Ordinance and Rules. 400 Jones Ferry Road Equa] Opportunity Employer Voice (919) 968-4421 PO Box 366 Printed on Recycled Paper FAX (919) 968-4464 Carrboro, NC 27510-0366 www.owasa.org • Joint Meeting on January 16, 2003 Regazding the OWASA Draft New Water Conservation Ordinance and Rules January 10, 2003 Page 2 We also recognize that the Towns and County governing boazds will have public comment opportunities when this matter is on each of your agendas for future consideration at a later date. We thank you for meeting with us and we welcome your comments. Very truly yours, Bernadette Pelissier, Chair Board of Directors BP/EK/ao Attachments c: Mr. Michael Brough, Interim Carrboro Town Manager Mr. W. Calvin Horton, Chapel Hill Town Manager Mr. John Link, Orange County Manager Ed Kerwin, Executive Director JOINT MEETING OF CARRBORO BOARD OF ALDERMEN, CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL, ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS & OWASA BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO DISCUSS THE OWASA DRAFT NEW WATER CONSERVATION ORDINANCE AND RULES THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2003, CARRBORO CENTURY CEl` ~~~' Welcome & Introduction Meeting Overview • Background • Purpose aid OWASA Wa Ordin • bjectives • ~ ft C'hanu~ :30 AGE #~~°~ ~. ~w ;~ ~w. ti.a Bernadette Pelissier, Chair '~ ~"~~ ;.,. OWASA Baard of Directors ;.: adette ~lissier :° ,, ' ~ Lee Culpepper, OWASA Board Member Discussio ong ele ed boards and the OWASA rd Draft Ordinance and s Meeting Summary & Nezt Steps Closing Remarks Bernadette Pelissier Bernadette Pelissier Margaret Brown, Orange County Chair Kevin Foy, Mayor of Chapel Hill Michael Nelson, Mayor of Carrboro Bernadette Pelissier Orange Water and Sewer Authority Draft Water Conservation Rules and Standards January 10, 2003 Article I -Purpose and Definitions I. A. Purpose These Water Conservation Rules and Standards are enacted by the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) for the purposes of: 1. Reducing the rate of increase in overall water use through year-round water conservation practices that will help maximize the community's existing and planned water supply sources and help reduce seasonal peak day demands that result in the need for costly expansion of water treatment, storage, and transmission facilities. Such year- round practices shall include: a. Reducing indoor water waste by encouraging the installation and maintenance of ultra-low flow toilets, faucet aerators, low-flow showerheads and similar devices, as well as other creative and commonsense indoor conservation practices. b. Reducing irrigation and irrigation-related water waste without sacrificing landscape quality through the cultivation of lower water use plants; improved landscape design and planting practices; more efficient watering practices; and improved irrigation system design and maintenance. c. Increasing the use of reclaimed wastewater and stormwater for irrigation and other uses that do not require water of potable quality. 2. Providing an orderly process for reducing community-wide water demands during periods of drought or other naturally occurring causes of water shortages; and 3. Providing an orderly process for reducing community-wide water demands during periods of water shortages due to natural disaster (other than drought), major OWASA facilities failure, or other unexpected and sudden loss of water supply, treatment, or distribution capacity that constitutes a water supply emergency. I. B. Definitions For the purpose of these Rules and Standards, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. AUTOMATIC CONTROLLER. A mechanical or electronic device capable of operating an irrigation system and its component valve stations according to a pre- determined schedule of irrigation frequency and duration. Draft Water Conservation Rules and Standards January 10, 2003 Page 3 of 12 Standards through special arrangements with OWASA. POTABLE WATER. Treated water provided by OWASA that is suitable for drinking, cooking, and other domestic use. Water that is collected indoors in containers from indoor faucets or spigots that would otherwise be discharged into drainpipes while a user awaits the warming of the water for dishwashing, other washing, shaving, bathing, or showering is not considered to be potable water for the purposes of these Rules and Standards. PRECIPITATION RATE. The amount of water applied per unit of time, usually expressed in inches per hour. PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY. The area of land owned or maintained by municipal, county, or state government primarily for the use of the public for the movement of people, goods, vehicles, or storm water. For the purposes of these Rules and Standards, the public right-of--way shall include curbs, streets, sidewalks, and storm water drainage inlets, but shall not include adjacent landscaped areas that may also be located within the legally delineated public right-of--way. RAW WATER. Water drawn from a reservoir or other water source before treatment. RECLAIMED WATER. Highly treated effluent from a wastewater treatment plant that can be safely used for such non-potable purposes as irrigation, heating/cooling, street cleaning, dust control, and other applications that do not require water of potable quality. RUNOFF. Water which is not absorbed by the soil or landscape to which it is applied. Runoff occurs when water is applied too quickly (application rate exceeds infiltration rate), particularly if there is a severe slope. These Rules and Standards do not apply to stormwater runoff which is created by natural precipitation rather than human-caused or applied water use. SERVICE AREA. The geographic area in which OWASA provides or is authorized to provide water and/or sewer service. SHUT-OFF NOZZLE. A device attached to the end of a hose that completely shuts off the flow, even if left unattended. SOAKER HOSE. A flexible hose designed to emit a trickle of water along its entire length, either through numerous small-diameter (less than 1/32-inch) perforations or through the permeable material of its composition. SPRAY IRRIGATION. The application of water to landscaping by means of a device Draft Water Conservation Rules and Standards January 10, 2003 Page 5 of 12 Article III -Year-Roun d Requirements III. A. Exterior Use The following outdoor or exterior use requirements shall apply to all customers using OWASA-supplied potable water: a. Spray irrigation shall not occur more than three days per week. Even-numbered properties may be irrigated with spray systems only on Sundays, Wednesdays, and/or Fridays. Odd-numbered properties may be irrigated with spray systems only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and/or Saturdays. All spray irrigation shall occur only between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. These restrictions shall not apply to properties using underground, drip irrigation, micro spray, low precipitation bubblers, hand watering, or where watering of containerized plants and commercial plant stock in trade is maintained for resale. b. Regardless of irrigation methods used, no more than one inch of water may be applied to plant material in any given week. c. All irrigation systems shall be equipped with automatic controllers that activate the system according to a desired frequency and duration, and shall also be equipped with rain or soil moisture sensors that will prevent irrigation during periods of rainfall or when there is sufficient moisture in the ground for plant health and survival. d. All hoses used for hand watering, car washing, or other allowable outdoor uses shall be equipped with shutoff nozzles. e. No exterior use of OWASA-supplied potable water shall result in the flow of fugitive water onto adjacent property or public right-of--way, and all irrigation systems shall be designed and maintained to prevent water from flowing onto paved or other impervious surfaces. Outdoor water leaks on property or facilities of OWASA customers must be repaired within ten (10) days of discovery and notification by OWASA. 2. Unless superceded by the declaration of a Water Supply Shortage or Emergency, the year-round requirements of lII.A.l.a and III.A.l.b above shall not apply to the following: a. Outdoor irrigation necessary for the establishment of newly sodded lawns and landscaping within the first 30 days of planting, or watering of newly seeded turf within the first six months of planting. Draft Water Conservation Rules and Standards January 10, 2003 Page7of12 leaks. f. Indoor water leaks on property or facilities of OWASA customers must be repaired within ten (10) days of discovery and notification by OWASA. 2. Unless superseded by the declaration of a Water Supply Shortage or Emergency, the year-round requirements of III.B.1. above shall not apply to the following: a. Visually supervised operation and flushing of plumbing systems for short periods of time to check system condition and effectiveness. b. Water applied to prevent or abate health, safety, or accident hazards when alternate methods are not available. c. Water used for construction or maintenance activities where the application of water is the appropriate methodology and where no other practical alternative exists. 3. OWASA shall periodically publicize and otherwise educate its customers on additional methods to conserve the interior use of water. Article IV -Determination of a Water Supply Shortage or Emergency IV. A. Drought Condition Shortage OWASA shall base its determination of existing or potential water shortage conditions on its analysis of reservoir levels, streamflow, existing and anticipated demand, availability of supplemental supplies, as well as other elements of reasonable professional judgment and management. The determination of drought shortage conditions shall be guided by periodic estimates of the risk (i.e., probability) that water stored in OWASA's reservoir system will decline to unacceptably low levels within the foreseeable future. Until improved or alternative criteria are developed, such guidance shall be based on a five percent or greater risk that total reservoir storage will decline to 20 percent or less of total storage capacity within an 18 month period. This guidance shall apply to the initial declaration of a Water Supply Shortage or Emergency and shall inform subsequent declarations of more or less severe Water Supply Shortages or Emergencies. IV. B. Water Treatment, Storage, or Distribution Capacity Shortage In addition to conditions caused by drought, OWASA may declare a Water Supply Shortage or Emergency whenever customer demand - as averaged over three consecutive days -exceed 85 percent of OWASA's capability of treating and delivering water. The stage and duration of such a Water Supply Shortage or Emergency shall be guided by the degree to which customer Draft Water Conservation Rules and Standards January 10, 2003 Page 9 of 12 1. Water use by individually metered residential customer accounts and by individually metered irrigation-only accounts shall be limited to no more than an average of one thousand (1,000) gallons per day during any monthly billing cycle beginning after the declaration of a Water Supply Shortage or Water Supply Emergency and ending while such restrictions are still in effect. 2. Spray irrigation using OWASA-supplied potable water shall not occur more than one day per week with a maximum of one-half inch of water applied to plant material in any given week. Even-numbered properties shall be allowed to spray irrigate only on Tuesdays; odd-numbered properties shall be allowed to spray irrigate only on Thursdays. Spray irrigation shall occur only between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. These restrictions shall not apply to the watering of containerized plants and commercial plant stock in trade. 3. Irrigation by underground, drip irrigation, micro spray, low precipitation bubblers, soaker hose systems with automatic shutoffs, or by hand held hoses or watering cans may occur at any time or frequency, but shall be limited to a maximum of one-half inch of water applied to plant material in any given week. 4. No OWASA-supplied potable water may be used to re-fill ornamental fountains, ponds, and like devices. 5. No OWASA-supplied potable water may be used for the routine cleaning or washing of paved areas, such as sidewalks, decks, driveways, roadways, or parking lots. This restriction shall not apply to the pressure cleaning of exterior building surfaces. V. C. Stage Two (2) Water Shortage In the event that OWASA declares a Stage Two Water Shortage, OWASA shall advise the Mayors of Carrboro and Chapel Hill and the Chair of the Orange County Boazd of Commissioners of its declazation and shall request that they issue Proclamations of Water Supply Shortage, if not already issued. Upon OWASA's declazation of a Stage Two Water Shortage, the following actions shall be taken with the goal of reducing overall water demand by fifteen (15) percent: 1. Water use by individually metered residential customer accounts and by individually metered irrigation-only accounts shall be limited to no more than an average of gallons per day during any monthly billing cycle beginning after the declaration of a Water Supply Shortage or Water Supply Emergency and ending while such restrictions are still in effect. [Note: An average daily limit of less than 1,000 gallons during a Stage Two Water Draft Water Conservation Rules and Standards January 10, 2003 Page 11 of 12 [Note: An average daily limit of less than 1,000 gallons during a Stage Three Water Shortage is still under consideration.) 2. The use of OWASA-supplied potable water for heating and/or cooling purposes shall be reduced in all but the most essential facilities to the extent allowable in consideration of indoor air quality standards, weather conditions, and health and safety requirements. 3. No imgation with OWASA-supplied potable water shall be permitted, except via hand held hoses or watering cans. Such irrigation shall not occur more than three days each week, according to the schedule prescribed in III. A. l . a of these Rules and Standards; shall be applied to non-turf plant material only; and shall be limited to a maximum of one-half inch of water per week. 4. OWASA-supplied potable water may not be used for any other outdoor purposes, except for emergency fire suppression or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, or welfare. 5. No bulk sale of potable OWASA water will be allowed except for purposes necessary to maintain public health, safety, or welfare. 6. No OWASA-supplied potable water may be used for washing any vehicles. 7. No OWASA-supplied potable water may be used for pressure washing building exteriors. S. No OWASA-supplied potable water may be used for the flushing or pressure testing of new distribution lines unless that water is returned to the OWASA water supply system through methods approved by OWASA. This restriction shall not apply to the testing of in-building fire control sprinkler systems. 9. No OWASA-supplied potable water shall be used for filling or re-filling empty swimming pools or for topping off operating swimming pools. V. E. Water Supply Emergency In the event that OWASA declares a Water Supply Emergency, OWASA shall so advise the Mayors of Carrboro and Chapel Hill and the Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners and shall request the issuance of a Proclamation of a Water Supply Emergency. In addition to those applicable measures listed above for a Stage Three Water Shortage, the following actions shall be taken upon OWASA's declaration of a Water Supply Emergency: 1. No OWASA-supplied potable water may be used for any outdoor purposes other than DRAFT ~ATEit CQNSERVATT®N RiTI,ES SLTII~MAR~ - ~ANUAR~ l Q~ ~®Q3 Spray Irrigation limited to 3 days/week, between 8 PM and 9 AM All irrigation limited to 1 inch per week Automatic controllers and moisture sensors required on all irrigation systems Shut-off nozzles required on all hoses Wasteful water use prohibited Leaks must be repaired within 10 days Use of reclaimed or harvested water strongly encouraged Restaurants to serve water only on request Hotels to change bed linens only on request Dishwashers and clothes washers to be operated with full loads only Use of water saving fixtures strongly encouraged Public alert about potential shortage; notice that water use restrictions may be imposed in the near future No mandatory water use restrictions other than yeaz- round requirements already in place Targeted conservation education and awareness campaign Spray Irrigation limited to 1 day/week, between 8 PM and 9AM All irrigation limited to % inch per week Irrigation by underground, drip irrigation, soaker hoses, or hand - held hoses or watering cans may occur at any time or frequency, but limited to % inch per week No OWASA water to refill ornamental fountains, ponds and like devices No OWASA water for routine cleaning of paved surfaces such as sidewalks and roadways. Restrictions do not apply to pressure cleaning of exterior building surfaces Water use by residential customers limited to 1,000 gallons per day No Spray Irrigation, except by persons regularly engaged in the sale of plants Irrigation by underground, drip emitters, soaker hoses, or hand- held hoses or watering cans may occur at any time or frequency, but limited to % inch per week No OWASA water to refill ornamental fountains, ponds, etc. No vehicle washing, except at commercial or institutional car washes in which 50% of water has been recycled No OWASA water for filling or refilling empty swimming pools. Operating swimming pools may be topped off. No OWASA water for cleaning or washing exterior building surfaces or paved areas. Pressure washing of buildings prior to painting is allowed Residential use limited to gallons per day No irrigation, except with hand- held hoses or watering cans, limited to 3 days per week, no more than % inch per week No outdoor use, except for emergency fire suppression or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety or welfare No washing of vehicles No pressure cleaning of building exteriors No OWASA water for flushing or pressure testing new lines unless water is recycled No filling, refilling, or topping off operating swimming pools Water for heating and cooling to be reduced to the maximum extent allowable Residential use limited to gallons per day No OWASA- supplied potable water for any outdoor purposes other than emergency fire suppression or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, or welfaze Water for heating and cooling to be reduced to the maximum extent allowable Water service may be discontinued or reduced to designated users or in designated portions of the OWASA service area in order to preserve the availability of water for essential public health and safety requirements, such as fire protection, hospitals, clinics, and other critical community needs