HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-06-2003 - 10aORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 6, 2003
Action Agen~ dQa A
Item No.
SUBJECT: Proposed OWASA Drought/Water Conservation Standards and Ordinance
DEPARTMENT: County Manager
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
3/6/03 Cover Letter
2/27/03 OWASA Resolution
Proposed Water Conservation Ordinance/
Standards
OWASA Response to Question from Joint
Meeting of 1 /16/03
Table of Guidelines for Water Conservation
Triggers
Summary of Existing and Proposed
Conservation Standards
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ed Kerwin, Executive Director, OWASA
919-968-4421
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To present the BOCC with information about the Orange Water & Sewer
Authority's (OWASA's) proposed water conservation standards.
BACKGROUND: At the request of OWASA in the Spring of 2002, Orange County as well as
the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro adopted a new set of water conservation ordinances
applicable to OWASA customers. In light of experience during the drought of 2002, OWASA
decided to reevaluate the conservation ordinance including water use restrictions for water
shortages. OWASA officials and staff drafted proposed revisions to its policies and the
ordinance. OWASA then initiated discussions with its customers and met with the elected
boards of Orange County, Chapel Hill and Carrboro on January 16, 2003.
OWASA's proposed new water conservation standards include:
Requiring some basic year-round conservation practices such as irrigating no more than three
times per week and with no more than one-inch of water per week.
Providing greater flexibility for outdoor hand-watering and use of drip irrigation and soaker
hoses systems during non-emergency levels of a water shortage.
Prohibiting water waste, and including a more detailed definition of water waste.
Encouraging replacement of old toilets and showerheads, the use ofdrought-resistant
plantings, harvesting of rainwater, etc.
OWASA
Mazch 6, 2003
ORANGE WATER & SEWER ALITHO
Quality
,,
Service ~iri e~ 977
\ `~
~> ``~~.,
.A
'`.',
.~
~~ ~ ,`\
d'~ ;., ,
~, 4f'~.j
~•~`~!
~~l
~,
;'.
,~~
%'~
Ms. Margaret Brown Mr. Kevin Foy, Mayor Mr. Michael Nelson, Mayor
Chair, Orange County Board Town of Chapel Hill Town of Carrboro
of Commissioners 306 North Columbia Street 310 West Main Street
Post Office Box 8181 Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Carrboro, NC 27510
Hillsborough, NC 27278
SUBJECT: PROPOSED NEW WATER CONSERVATION STANDARDS
Dear Margaret, Kevin, and Michael:
On Thursday, February 27, 2003, the OWASA Board of Directors approved the enclosed water
conservation standards for submittal to the Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Orange County governing
boards.
We request time on your respective agendas in the near future to present and discuss the new
standards and to work with you to incorporate them into your local ordinances.
I would like to emphasize several points regazding the standazds:
• The OWASA Boazd's action followed a public infonnation/participation process
beginning with a public forum on November 20, 2002 and including numerous
OWASA Boazd meetings and the January 16, 2003 Joint Meeting with our local
governments.
• The proposed standards reflect our experience from last year's drought as well as
consideration of numerous comments from the public.
• The proposed standazds include year-round water use restrictions that are consistent
with good basic conservation practices. They also provide more flexibility for
irrigating by hand and with more efficient types of irrigation systems.
• In order for OWASA to enforce certain elements pertaining to excessive or wasteful
water use during periods of declazed shortage, our Board will consider adopting these
as OWASA rules in the near future.
400 Jones Ferry Road
PO Box 366
Carrboro, NC 27510-0366
-SL~~V ~ QT' ?~~ia/o3
Equal Opportunity Employer
Printed on Recycled Paper
Voice (919) 968-4421
FAX (919) 968-4464
W N~W.OWAS4. Org
RESOLUTION TO TRANSNIIT REVISED WATER CONSERVATION STANDARDS TO
THE CARRBORO BOARD OF ALDERMEN, CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL, AND
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF CONIIVIISSIONERS
WHEREAS, the citizens of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Orange County have demonstrated a
strong commitment to responsible stewazdship of the community's water resources, including the
conservation of water during periods of drought and shortage; and
WHEREAS, the Towns and County adopted new ordinances in the spring of 2002 with water
conservation requirements to be used during periods of drought and other water shortages; and
WHEREAS, OWASA has examined water use patterns during the record-setting drought of
2002 and has reviewed the experience with the Towns' and County's recently adopted conservation
ordinances; and
WHEREAS, OWASA held a public forum about drought management and conservation on
November 20, 2002; has encouraged and received numerous comments from interested customers
regazding the 2002 conservation ordinance; and has drafted, discussed, revised and received
comments on proposed revisions to the 2002 water conservation ordinance, including comments from
the elected boards of Carrboro, Chapel, Hill and Orange County in a joint meeting held on January
16~', 2003.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Boazd of Directors of Orange Water
and ~ Sewer Authority hereby submits its Proposed Water Conservation Standards, February 19,
2003, a copy of which is attached to this Resolution, to the Carrbom Boazd of Aldermen, the Chapel
Hill Town Council, and the Orange County Boazd of Commissioners and recommends the adoption
of these Standards - either by reference, or by incorporation into appropriate Town and County codes
or ordinances - at the eazliest appropriate date.
Adopted this the 27~' day of February, 2003.
P~
Bernadette Pelissier, Chairman
Board of Directors
ATTEST:
Joni G' or
Assi tSecretary-Treasurer
Proposed Water Conservation Standards
February 27, 2003
Page 3 of 13
12 inches above ground level and typically deliver water in the range of 0.10 to 0.50
gallons per minute within a radius of five feet or less of the head.
MULCH. A protective covering of organic material, such as sawdust, wood chips,
compost, or other vegetative matter, spread on the ground to reduce evaporation and
increase water retention.
ODD-NUMBERED PROPERTIES. Properties with street addresses that end in odd-
numbered digits, or other properties so designated for the purposes of these
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 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 Standards, the
public right-of-way shall include curbs, streets, sidewalks, and storm water drainage
inlets, but shall not include adjacent landscaped azeas that may also be located within
the legally delineated public right-of-way.
RAIN BARREL: A tank or container, typically located on the ground beneath a roof
drainage system, that captures and stores rainwater for subsequent reuse.
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, firefighting, 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), particulazly if there is a severe slope. These Standards do not apply to
stormwater runoff which is created by natural precipitation rather than human-caused or
applied water use.
Proposed Water Conservation Standards
February 27, 2003
Page 7 of 13
III. B. Interior Use
1. The following indoor or interior use requirements shall apply to all customers using
OWASA-supplied potable water:
a. Restaurants and dining facilities shall serve- water only on request of the
customer.
b. Hotels, motels, and other facilities providing sleeping accommodations shall
change bed linens only upon request of the customer, or upon customer
changeover, or every five days for long-term customers.
c. The operation of dishwashers and clothes washers only when loaded to their
maximum capacity, or at water level settings appropriate for the size of the load
being washed, shall be strongly encouraged.
d. The use of ultra-low flow toilets, tank dams, flow restrictors (aerators) and low-
flow showerheads, where not otherwise required, shall be strongly encouraged;
and- additional indoor conservation practices - as well as devices - shall also
be encouraged.
e. Plumbing systems shall be properly maintained and repaired to prevent water
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.
4
3. OWASA shall periodically publicize and otherwise educate its customers on additional
methods to conserve the interior use of water.
'Proposed Water Conservation Standards
February 27, 2003 ~ ,
Page 11 of 13
5. No OWASA-supplied potable water shall be used for washing vehicles, except at
commercial or institutional car washes in which at least 50 percent of the water has
been recycled
6. No OWASA-supplied potable water shall be used for filling or re-filling empty
swimming pools. OWASA-supplied potable water may be used to top off operating
swimming pools.
7. No OWASA-supplied potable water shall be used for the routine cleaning or washing of
exterior building surfaces, decks, or paved areas, such as sidewalks, driveways,
roadways, and parking lots. This restriction shall not apply to the pressure cleaning of
exterior building surfaces or decks prior to painting or re-painting that is necessary to
protect or maintain the physical. integrity of the structure.
8. No OWASA-supplied potable water may be used for fire department training or
equipment testing unless required by State or Federal regulations.
V. D. Stage Three (3) Water Shortage
In the event that OWASA declares a Stage Three Water Shortage, OWASA shall advise the
Mayors of Carrboro and Chapel Hill and the Chair of the Orange County Board of
Commissioners of its declaration and shall request that they issue Proclamations of Water
Supply Shortage, if not akeady issued. Upon OWASA's declaration of a Stage Three Water
Shortage, the following actions shall be taken with the goal of reducing overall water demand
by twenty (20) percent:
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 600
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. 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 irrigation 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 11I.A.l.a of these 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.
/~
Orange Water and Sewer Authority
Response to Comments Received During January 16, 2003 Joint
Meeting About Proposed Conservation Rules and Standards
Irrigation Issues
Comment: Several suggestions were made for greater restrictions (and an exception for
public playing fields) on the use of OWASA water for spray irrigation.
Response: OWASA supports the irrigation restrictions as drafted, but recommends that
total residential water use under a Stage 2 and Stage 3 shortage be limited to an average
of 800 and 600 gallons per day, respectively, which is expected to help moderate the use
of potable water for outdoor irrigation. Additionally, OWASA's proposed standards
(February 19, 2003 version) include additional encouragement of water efficient
landscaping, irrigation, and rainwater harvesting.
High Water Use By Individual Customers
Comment: How would OWASA enforce usage limits?
Response: In general, usage limits would be monitored through OWASA's billing
system. If, after due process (actual procedures have not yet been established), excessive
usage were to continue, the customer's water service would be turned off. OWASA
plans to implement a special Water Shortage Fee Surchazge that would substantially
increase the cost of water during a declazed Shortage and help reduce the likelihood of
any such occurrences. For infractions of other Water Conservation Standards, OWASA
would contact the customers and ask for their cooperation, and would seek assistance
from local law enforcement only if needed.
Comment: OWASA should set very high rates or fines for. customers who exceed
established limits.
Response: As noted above, OWASA will implement a special "excess use" or rate
surchazge to be applied during declared Water Shortages. OWASA does not have the
legal authority to levy fines for wasteful water use, but the Towns and County may do so
if they choose.
Comment: How were the proposed consumption blocks for the residential inverted block
rates determined?
Response: These were based on the observed average consumption of 6,000 gallons per
month by OWASA's residential customers. Billing records indicate that during the
declared Water Shortage of July 2002, more than 600 residential customers used more
than 30, D00 gallons of water.
• Reservoir Drawdown Frequency and Guidelines for
Water Conservation Triggers
Number of times (or percent of years) during the 77-year streamflow record in which reservoir
storage would have declined to 20% or less during the following 18 months.
Water Remaining in University Lake and Cane Creek Reservoirs
100% 95% 90% 85% 80% 75% 70% 65% 60% 55% 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25%
MG 3358 3190 3022 2854 2886 2519 2351 2183 2015 1847 1679 1511 1343 1175 1007 839
Jan o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
8.0 mgd 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0°k 4%
Feb o 0 0 0 0 0 0 o a 3 a a
8.2 mgd 0% 0% 0 % 0% 0% 0% 0% 0 % 0 % 4°/ 5 % 5%
Mar 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 5 6 6
8.0 mgd 0% 0% 0 % 0% 0% 0°k 0°k 0°k 4% 4 % 6% 8% 8%
Apr o 0 0 0 0 o a a s 7 s 1z 1a ?_'
8.3 mgd 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 5% 5% 8% 9% 12% 16% 18 % 22%
May 0 0 0 4 6 13 15 17 24 , . 25 -- ?_7 33F,'
9.2 mgd 0°h 0% 0 % 5% 8% 17% 19°k 22°l0 31,%:~ 32°/ - 35, a3~r=_
Jun 0 0 3 3 3 4 10 12 18- 23?- 29;.- °,~'1~:~'
9-8 mgd 0% 0°/s 4% 4% 4% 5% 13 % 16% 23% 27 38 % 4d I ~r;
JUI 0 0 0 0 3 4 6 12 16 %
22 - 25~~ 3A :'
10.5 mgd 0°k 0% 0% 0% 4% 5°k 8% 16°k 21% 29 % - . 34°/ 44%a:
AUg 0 0 1 1 3 3 5 7 9 17 25 31"~~
10.6 mgd 0% 0% 1 % 1 % 4% 4°k 6% 9% 12% 2.2% i
32%_~ 40>6
Sep 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 3 6 8 18 2T °~'
10.3 mgd 0% 0% 0% 0% 1 % 1 % 4% 4% B % 10% 23_°~la _ X3,5', _'~_
OCt 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 3 5 15 ~~2 `:,
9.8 mgd 0% 0% 0% 0°k 0% 0% 1°h 1% 4% 4% 6% 19% '32°k i.
NOV
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
3
3
7 ~~:-
1~~
9.0 mgd 0% 0% 0% 0% 0°k 0°k 0% 0% 1°h 1% 4% 4% 9% 25%="
i
~eC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 5
8.1 mgd 0°/a 0°h 0°k 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 1% 4% 6%
NORM ADV ~1 #2 1<i3 EMRG
Conservation Stages and _ -
0-1% 4$% 9-21% 224"/A°'
Risk Levels
2002 Reservoir Levels = Highlighted Cells
Each cell of the table contains an integer and a percentage, which represent the probability that reservoir levels
will decline to 20 percent or less of full capacity during the following 18 months. These were calculated from
spreadsheet model runs of 77+ years of daily streamflow data, updated through January 2003, and driven by
monthly water demand and reservoir storage at the beginning of each month. Calculations were based on an
average annual raw water demand of 9.15 mgd (which was OWASA's average day demand during CY 2001,
after a 10 percent reduction for process water recycling) adjusted by observed monthly ratios, which are reflected
in monthly demands shown in the first column of the table .
Each row of the table corresponds to a month, and each column corresponds to reservoir storage at the
beginning of that month. Storage is subdivided into increments of 5% and also expressed as million gallons
(MG).
Colors indicate the corresponding conservation and risk levels proposed for each condition. One cell in each row
is highlighted in black, representing actual reservoir storage conditions at the beginning of that month during
2002.
Rev 2/27/03
l5
~~~
DRAFT WATER CCINSERVATION RiJLES SiT1VIMARY - 3ANUARY 16, 2QQ3
Year Round
Conservation
Water Supply
Advisory Stage One
Shortage
10% reduction goal Stage Two
Shortage
IS% reduction goal Stage Three
Shortage'
20% reduction goal Water Supply..
Emergency
20+% reduction
goal
Spray Irrigation Public alert Spray Irrigation No Spray Irrigation, No irrigation, No OWASA-
limited to 3 about potential limited to 1 except by persons except with hand- supplied potable
days/week, shortage; day/week, regularly engaged in held hoses or water for any
between 8 PM notice that between 8 PM and the sale of plants watering cans, outdoor
and 9 AM water use 9 AM ~ limited to 3 days purposes other
restrictions ~ Irrigation by per week, no more than emergency
All irrigation may be All irrigation underground, drip than''/z inch per fire suppression
limited to 1 inch unposed in the limited to '/z inch emitters, soaker week. or other
per week near future per week hoses, or hand- held ~ activities
-- hoses or watering No outdoor use, necessary to
Automatic No mandatory hrigation by cans may occur at except for maintain public
controllers and water use underground, drip any tune or emergency fire health, safety, or
moisture sensors restrictions irrigation, soaker frequency, but suppression or welfare
required on all other than hoses, or hand - limited to '/z inch per other activities
irrigation year- round held hoses or week necessary to Water for
systems requirements watering cans may -- maintain public heating and
akeady in occur at any time No OWASA water health, safety or cooling to be
Shut-off nozzles place or frequency, but to refill ornamental welfare reduced to the
required on all ~ limited to'/z inch fountains, ponds, etc. ~ maximum extent
hoses Targeted per week ~ No OWASA water allowable
conservation ~ No vehicle washing, to refill ornamental
Wasteful water education and No OWASA water except at commercial fountains, ponds, Water service
use prohibited awazeness to refill or institutional car etc. may be
campaign ornamental washes in which ~ discontinued or
Leaks must be fountains, ponds 50% of water has No washing of reduced to
repaired within and like devices been recycled vehicles designated users
10 days ~ ~ ~ or in designated
No OWASA water No OWASA water No pressure portions of the
Use of reclaimed for routine for filling or refilling cleaning of OWASA service
or harvested cleaning of paved empty swimming building exteriors azea in order to
water strongly surfaces such as pools. Operating ~ preserve the
encouraged sidewalks and swimming pools No OWASA water availability of
roadways. may be topped off. for flushing or water for
Restaurants to Restrictions do not ~ pressure testing essential public
serve water only apply to pressure No OWASA water new lines unless health and safety
on request cleaning of for cleaning or water is recycled requirements,
exterior building washing exterior ~ such as fire
Hotels to change surfaces building surfaces or No filling, refilling, protection,
bed linens only ~ paved areas. or topping off hospitals,
on request Water use by Pressure washing of operating clinics, and other
residential buildings prior to swimming pools critical
Dishwashers and customers limited painting is allowed ~ community
clothes washers to 1,000 gallons ~ Water for heating needs
to be operated per day Residential use and cooling to be
with full loads limited to reduced to the
only gallons per day maximum extent
allowable
Use of water
saving fixtures Residential use
strongly limited to #12
encouraged gallons per day