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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2002-079 Resolution Advocating the Continuation of Interlocal Efforts Fostering Conservation of Potable Water p PAr- ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS A Resolution Advocating the Continuation of Interlocal Efforts Fostering Conservation of Potable Water WHEREAS, Orange County and central North Carolina have of late been severely impacted by prolonged and severe drought and ensuing shortages of potable water affecting residents depending on individual ground water and municipal-type surface water supplies; and WHEREAS, the experiences of Orange County, its water providers and residents have demonstrated that the uncertainties of weather and rainfall patterns, when combined with inefficient or wasteful water use practices, can create severe shortages in potable water supplies to the extent that the public health and welfare is seriously jeopardized; and WHEREAS, the language, terms, requirements and conditions of the various drought and emergency water use regulations and ordinances applicable to the customers of the various water providers operating within Orange County need to be examined for clarity and coordination between the various water providers and their respective service areas; and WHEREAS, Orange County, in discharging its statutory responsibilities to protect and enhance the public health, safety and welfare of all the residents of Orange County, does have a strong interest in assuring the availability of a high quality supply of potable water; and WHEREAS, Orange County owns and operates Lake Orange, a water supply reservoir that serves as a primary water supply for the Town of Hillsborough and the Orange- Alamance Water System; and WHEREAS, Orange County coordinates the use of water supplies drawn from the Eno River under the provision of the Eno River Capacity Use Agreement; and WHEREAS, Orange County has sponsored, in cooperation with the US Geological Survey, two studies of the ground water resources in Orange County; and WHEREAS, Orange County seeks to ensure that the demand for potable water supplies generated by the County's existing population as well as population growth and development can be reconciled with availability of those supplies; and WHEREAS, Orange County seeks to ensure the responsible and farsighted use of effective but relatively simple strategies and technology that exist to reduce demand and enhance availability of potable water supplies for the County's existing population as well as population growth; and WHEREAS, the residents of Orange County are provided municipal water utility services by the Town of Hillsborough, Orange Water and Sewer Authority, the City of Durham, the City of Mebane and the Orange-Alamance Water System; and WHEREAS, the water distribution systems of the Town of Hillsborough, Orange Water and Sewer Authority, the City of Durham, the City of Mebane and the Orange- Alamance Water System are interconnected; and WHEREAS, in time of need, treated water has been and is still transferred to, between and through the water distribution systems of the Town of Hillsborough, Orange Water and Sewer Authority, the City of Durham, the City of Mebane and the Orange- Alamance Water System; and WHEREAS, Orange County participates in an ongoing dialogue with the Town of Hillsborough, Orange Water and Sewer Authority, the City of Durham, the City of Mebane and the Orange-Alamance Water System about watershed protection,water conservation and extension of utilities; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby request and recommend that all of the major water utility providers to the residents of Orange County(the Town of Hillsborough, Orange Water and Sewer Authority, the City of Durham, the City of Mebane and the Orange-Alamance Water System), and all individual residents whose homes and businesses are provided potable water supplies by ground water wells, continue to be mindful of the need to conserve potable water supplies and seek out, implement and use those readily available and simple strategies and technology that will reduce the demand for potable water supplies to the extent practicable. This is the 6th day of November, 2002 IBM Barry Jacobs, Ch. r'` ° Orange County oard o i 1 sioners a pAd Fp!