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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-31-2008-2RNGU ~,? a Barry Jacobs, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners P.O. BOX 81.81 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Mark Chilton, Mayor Town of Carrboro 301. West Main Street Carrboro, NC 2751.0 Kevin. Foy, Mayor Town of Chapel Hill 405 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Chapel Hill, NC 27514 SUBJECT: Potential Use of the Jordan Lake Water Supply -Information for the March 31, 2008 Orange County Assembly of Governments Meeting Dear Chair Jacobs, Mayor Chilton, and Mayor Foy: I'm writing to provide information about our intent to update OWASA's long-term Water Supply Plan with an evaluation of the estimated costs, benefits, and other considerations regarding the possible joint use of Jordan. Lake. Background Information about this subject was presented and discussed at the September 20, 2007 Assembly of Governments meeting and later discussed with regional officials at intergovernmental meetings on October 30, 2007 and February 21, 2008. OWASA currently holds a Level II allocation for fiiture use of five percent of Jordan Lake's water supply storage capacity, which will provide an estimated five million gallons per day (MGD). In 1989 OWASA purchased 1.25 acres adjacent to US Army Corps of Engineers (corps) property south of US Highway 64 on the west side of Jordan Lake in the Pea Ridge - Seaforth Roads area (please see Attachment #1). Our property is close to the preferred site of a water supply intake recommended in a 1991 OWASA-commissioned engineering analysis. The Town of Cary's intake is on the east side of the lake just north of Highway 64 (also shown on Attachment #1). The Corps has indicated that it will likely allow only one new water intake on the west side of Jordan Lalce. Although. OWASA owns the property described above, neither we nor any other local entity own or control rights to an intake location within the lake itself. Only the Corps has the authority to grant access for water supply facilities. 400 Jones Ferry Road Equal OpportunitJ~ EmploJ~er Voice (9l9) 968-4421_ PO Box 366 Printed on Recycled Paper FAX (919) 968-4464 Carrboro, NC 27510=0366 rr~rvrr.orrasa.org Potential Joint Use of Jordan Lake Water Supply March 20, 2008 Page 2 Discussion Jordan Lake represents a possible water supply supplement for OWASA if our current plans for additional conservation and reclaimed water fall short of our goal of reducing future dema~ids prior to the expanded Stone Quarry Reservoir coming into service (>2030). Jordan Lake could also provide a critically important "back-up" supply during droughts or other water supply emergencies. Two severe droughts in the past six years have further increased our awareness of the need for greater flexibility and additional. water supply options. It is impractical for OWASA alone to develop fac'riities at Jordan Lake, due to the high costs (perhaps $40 million to $50 million) of a water intake, pumps, and a I S-mile pipeline. The use of Jordan Lake would be more feasible in partnership with the City of Durham, Chatham County, and/or Orange County if the County so desires. (As you know, Orange County has an allocation. of one percent of Jordan Lake's water supply storage capacity, which is estimated to yield 1 MGD.) Durham's 10 percent allocation represents an estimated. yield of 10 MGD. At this time, Durham obtains a portion of its Jordan Lake water through. an interconnection with. the Town of Caiy. Improvements to that interconnection are now underway to increase the amount of water that Durham can obtain fi•orn Cary by this coming summer. Durham is also considering options for increasing its ability to withdraw water directly from Jordan Lake and has proposed a leadership role for plam~ing and establishing a water intake and perhaps a water treatment plant on the westen~ side of the lake. On March 3, 2008, the Durham City Council approved a resolution supporting regional. partnerships and committing Durham's leadership (please see Attachment #2). Next Stens for OWASA On February 28, 2008, the OWASA Board unanimously supported our staff's participation. with the City of Durham, Chatham County, and Orange County in evaluating the potential joint use of Jordan Lake water. The OWASA Board strongly believes that this work is critical to the larger initiative of updating our long-term water supply plan, especially in light of recent experiences with severe droughts, growing uncertainty about the potential effects of climate change, and water use prof les associated with emerging patterns of commercial, residential, and mixed-use development in the Carrboro-Chapel Hill. community. It is essential that we understand the expected costs and benefits of a regional approach to Jordan Lalce in order to objectively evaluate other water supply options, including the expansion of the reclaimed water system and/or achieving greater demand reduction through additional conservation. Although OWASA remains committed to our policy of maximizing the use of our local, highly protected water sources, it is possible that conservation, demand management, and reclaimed water may not by themselves provide the level of drought security that our community desires. We recognize the importance of working closely with Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Orange County as we consider the regional Jordan Lake option in our updated water supply plan.. We Potential Joint Use of Jordan Lake Water Supply March 20, 2008 Page 3 understand the important relationships among land use, growth. management plam~ing, the sustainable management of our water resources, and the need to consider those issues along with the benefits and costs of a Jordan Lake water supply partnership. While a specific time table has not yet been established by Durham or Chatham County, we understand that they will move expeditiously with their evaluation of the possible joint use of Jordar~ Lalce. This initiative may be our only opportunity to participate effectively and help shape decisions about regional collaboration for more sustainable management and protection of Jordan. Lake. We look forward to working with you on these important matters. Best regards, Randy Kabriclc, P.E. Chair of the OWASA Board Attachments c: Ms. Laura Blaclanon, Orange County Manager (w/encs.) Mr. Roger L. Stancil, Chapel Hill Town Manager (w/encs.) Mr. Steven Stewart, Carrboro Town Manager (w/encs.) OWASA Board of Directors (w/encs.) Ed I~erwui, OWASA Executive Director (w/encs.) Selected Water Supply Facilities in the Jordan Lake Vicinity ~ ~ ~ ~ fy ~"' 15 U 1 p .t,;~h ~ ~~-_ ~~~ ~ ORANGE DURHAM -' r--- C CHATHAM :':':'';':. ~ ~ .. ..• . ._'' ..: ,.. f~ ~ .. ::::. ~_ ~~:~ ~~ . :.: :;: ~ .. ,~ .. ,, ., .. _.;. ,~. ~' 15 :~~~ 501 :: ~ ' :. ~:. .. ,. ~ .. { .:: .:: •. ::: . ~h '' ~ ~ ' ~~; .~r~. Army Carps of ~~~~~}--~ .: : ;: ---'`._...`'`- ,,~ _ '--~`'` Engineers Land ~: ~g ., Pittsboro WTP ~ ~~ e~~ r' ~~. ~`' ~ Cary Water Intake J' I ~ ~ ~ '~ l :~ Chatham Cou y :...:.. '~ n.,.,, ~ ~ ::: ';' :~'` _. Jordan ~, . •. Pittsboro ... .~' ::: ~-~~ ~ r .. .. ~ak~ ... .:~:. ~~~.:.::::...:: ~ o~ .:: - o 1 .. .. 0 :. .. ... OWASA Pro er .~::~~~.~~ P ~Y J `' `'-``~`~`" ~ Recommended Western ~,::: Intake Location 15 501 ~` ~~~ '_'~ Change Water and .::::.:: ~~ ~.: ~. Sewer Authority N ....: .. ......:. .,... 0 1 Miles Date:8/10/2007 ~ :.~ __ RESOLUTION 9532 RESOLUTION SUPPORTING REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS FOR WATER SUPPLY PLANNING AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WESTERN WATER INTAKE ON TINE B. EVERETT JORDAN RESERVOIR. WHEREAS, the Research Triangle Region of North Carolina has experienced three droughts within the past six years; and WHEREAS, the B. Everett Jordan Reservoir (Jordan Lake) has proven to be a reliable source of water supply; and WI~EREAS, the Research Triangle Region has for over 50 years served as North Carolina's, and in many respects, America's, foremost center far technology, communication, pharmaceutical, and life-sciences research; and WI-IEREAS, the Research Triangle Region continues to grow and serve as the premier economic engine for our State; and ~hIHEREAS, the local government jurisdictions in the Research Triangle Region have responsible and thoughtful land use plans to accommodate the projected growth of our Region; and WHEREAS, the City of Durham, Chatham County, Orange County, and the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) have each received a Jordan Lalce Water Supply Allocation, but currently do not have direct access to Jordan Lake; and WHEREAS, the Town of Cary provides direct access to Jordan Lalce for its customers and the customers in the Town of Apex, Town of Moxrisville and the Wake County pardon of Research Triangle Park; and WHEREAS, by agreement, the Town of Cary currently provides access to Jordan Lake through its facilities to Chatham County and the City of Durham; and ~JI-fEREAS, only about two thirds of the total water supply capacity of Jordan Lake is currently allocated, and only about half of that allocated amount is currently being used; and WHEREAS, a regional water supply planning efFort would be consistent with the North Carolina Regional Water Supply I'lamiing Act of 19'71, which states in part fihat "It should be the role of State Government to provide a fr^aniewar°k for comprehensive planning of regional water supply systems, and far the orderly coordination of local actions relating to ~~~ater supply, sa as to make possible the most efficient use of -water resources and to help realize economies ofscale in water supply systems;" and WHEREAS, the City of Durham has determined that worlang together with its potential partners of the Town of Apex, the Town of Cary, the County of Chatham, the Town of Morrisville, the County of Orange, the County of Wake and OWASA (on behalf of OWASA's customers in the Town of Carrboro, the Town of Chapel Hill and southern Orange County) to plan for future water supply and use of Jordan Lake is a prudent, responsible and necessary action to promote the health, safety and welfare of our citizens; and WHEREAS, Jordan Lalce is a regional asset and it is understood that the use of its water supply requires a comprehensive and coordinated regional approach that will provide sustainable benefits, including: • Establishing a single new intake on the western side of the lake thereby reducing the potential number of structures, transmission, acid treatment facilities • Reduced unit costs through economies of scale ui facility design, eonstiliction and operation ~ Increased flexibility and reliability of local water supplies, especially during draughts and other dynamic events • Enhanced ability to comply with increasingly stringent federal and State drinking water standards • Improved cooperation between local water utilities and ease of regulatory oversight; and '~THEREAS, the City of Durham has detelrnined that working together with its potential partners of the County of Chatham, the County of Orange and OWASA to develop a western Jordan Lake water intake is a prudent, responsible and necessary action to promote the health, safety and welfare of our citizens; now, therefore BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Durham does hereby commit to taking a leadership role in a partnership for regional water supply planning; and fiarthermore BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Durham. does hereby commit to working expeditiously with its potential partners in the establishment of a western Jordan Lake water intake, and possibly to build an associated water treatment facility; and furthermore BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Manager shall proceed with the negotiation of such Interlocal Agreements that will establish the particulars of participation ul such partnerships; and furthermore BE IT RESOLVED, that the principles of regional cooperation, environmental stewardship, mutual and collective benefit, proportional representation, and financial sustainability guide the negotiations; and furthermore BE IT RESOLVED, that copies of this Resolution shall be transmitted to the governing bodies of the Counties of Chatham, Durham, 0ralxge and Walce, and the municipalities of Apex, Carrboro, Cary, Chapel Hill, and Morrisville, and the Board of Directors of ~_ .~ OWASA for their consideration and appropriate action. ~ . ~' ~~ J ~~J ~QR 3 ~UDU x.. ~ ~~... 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