HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-21-2017 - 4-b - OWASA Annual Update Presentation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 21, 2017
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-b
SUBJECT: OWASA Annual Update Presentation
DEPARTMENT: County Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board, 245-
January 20, 2017 Letter from OWASA 2130
Board Chair John A. Young Bonnie Hammersley, County Manager,
Timeline of Actions Taken by OWASA and 245-2300
the Orange County Health Department Ed Kerwin, OWASA Executive Director,
in Regards to the February 2017 Water 968-4421
Emergency John A. Young, OWASA Board Chair,
February 21, 2017 OWASA Brief for the 968-4421
Orange County Board of
Commissioners and Public
PURPOSE: To receive a presentation and information from the Orange Water and Sewer
Authority (OWASA) on recent activities.
BACKGROUND: OWASA representatives will make a presentation to the Board of
Commissioners on recent OWASA activities. Information will also be shared regarding the
recent water emergency affecting OWASA customers. The attached Powerpoint presentation
is provided in preparation for discussion at the meeting and addresses the water emergency.
Board members and the public should also reference a substantial amount of information that
OWASA is sharing on the water emergency via a dedicated webpage:
http://www.owasa.org/2017-water-emergency.
OWASA Board Chair John A. Young, both of Orange County's appointees to the OWASA
Board — Terri Buckner and Barbara Middleton-Foushee, and Executive Director Ed Kerwin are
expected to be at the meeting.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with receiving the presentation.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated
with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the presentation
as information and provide any feedback as necessary.
41411111111k 2
OWASA
ORANGE WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY
A public, non-profit agency providing water, sewer and reclaimed water services
to the Carrboro-Chapel Hill community.
January 20, 2017
Mayor Pam Hemminger Mayor Lydia Lavelle Chair Mark Dorosin
Town of Chapel Hill Town of Carrboro Orange County Board of
405 Martin Luther King Jr. 301 West Main Street Commissioners
Boulevard Carrboro, NC 27510 PO Box 8181
Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Hillsborough, NC 27278
Dear Mayor Hemminger, Mayor Lavelle and Chair Dorosin:
We are pleased to submit this annual report on our services,projects and initiatives in 2016.
Sewer for the Historic Rogers Road Area
Orange County and OWASA have approved an agreement for OWASA's services in bidding,
construction administration and construction oversight for the installation of sewer to serve the
Rogers Road area. Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2017 and finish in summer
2018.
The project will include 3.5 miles of sewer pipes and will pass by 104 properties, including 86 in
the Historic Rogers Road Area.
New water rate for Multi-Family Master-Metered customers
On December 8th, we approved a change in the water rates for Multi-Family Master-Metered
(MFMM) customers, such as apartment complexes. Starting in May 2017, these customers will
pay a year-round water rate of$5.67 per 1,000 gallons instead of the current seasonal water rates,
which are higher from May through September and lower in the other seven months.
In the past, MFMM residents expressed concern about unexpected increases in private
water/sewer bills with the change to our peak seasonal rate in May, even when a resident's water
use has not increased. About 7,700 households living in approximately 200 apartment complexes
in Chapel Hill and Carrboro receive private water and sewer bills from property owners.
Under rules of the NC Utilities Commission, the owners can pass through water/sewer costs to
residents through private sub-metering and billing arrangements. The year-round rate will
eliminate bill fluctuations due to changes in seasonal rates, so private bills should result in fewer
questions and less confusion. Letter to the governing boards on December 13, 2016
Financial management
Fiscal Year 2017 is the fifth consecutive year with no increase in our monthly rates. We received
an unmodified opinion from our independent auditors for our FY 2016 Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report. We continue to meet our financial performance objectives including the metric
400 Jones Ferry Road Equal Opportunity Employer Voice (919) 968-4421
Carrboro, NC 27510-2001 Printed on Recycled Paper www.owasa.org
Annual Report 3
January 20, 2017
Page 2
we use to measure the affordability of our services. The average household in our area uses about
4,000 gallons per month of water and sewer service; the annual cost of service at this level is less
than 1.5% of median household income.
Affordability outreach program
On December 8th, we approved the second-year plan for affordability outreach. This program is
designed to educate and empower customers to reduce their water use and therefore their
monthly water and sewer costs. We are partnering with local agencies and focusing on customers
who have received financial assistance towards paying an OWASA bill.
In the Care to Share customer assistance program, over 1,000 OWASA customers contribute
about $450 per month through on-bill payments. We also encourage citizens to give directly to
the Inter-Faith Council.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure(AMI)
We are moving forward with evaluating and identifying a vendor and system for Advanced
Metering Infrastructure (AMI)in our community. AMI is a system that allows for remote meter
reading via radio transmissions, which in turn allows for more frequent meter readings and faster
leak detection. After conducting a feasibility study and engaging the community, the OWASA
Board determined that such a system would be beneficial to the utility and community and would
not require a rate increase. The Board decided to move forward with requesting proposals.
In December 2016, staff received and began evaluating proposals. Early in 2017, we will select a
team to provide and install an AMI system. We estimate that installing the new system for all
22,000 meters in our system will take about two years after the vendor begins.
We will continue to inform and engage our customers as we move forward with the installation
or consider any proposed policy changes related to AMI.
Drinking water quality
In 2016, we again met all Federal and State standards for the quality of our drinking water
including requirements to test for over 150 substances and to report results to the State.
In August, we received the Partnership for Safe Water's award for five consecutive years of
"Excellence in Water Treatment." The Partnership is an unprecedented alliance of six prestigious
drinking water organizations, including the US Environmental Protection Agency. This
achievement demonstrates our outstanding commitment to delivering superior quality drinking
water to our customers.
In response to requests from customers, OWASA staff tested the water quality at 89 homes and
businesses and provided written reports of these results. We continue to offer free lead testing to
our customers. In 2016, 58 customers took advantage of this service. Additionally, we partnered
with Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools and local childcare facilities to test almost 200 water
samples for lead. All samples were well below the federal action level of 15 parts per billion. We
Annual Report 4
January 20, 2017
Page 3
continue to encourage our customers to contact us whenever they have any comments or
questions about our water or to request water quality testing including lead testing at no charge.
Drinking water disinfection and plumbing systems
On September 22nd, we received information from staff and recommendations from our Natural
Resources and Technical Systems Committee regarding chloramines, our disinfectant for
drinking water, and its effect on certain types of rubber.
We will continue working to inform our customers,plumbers and other stakeholders about the
need to choose rubber items, such as toilet flappers, that are chloramine resistant. Related
OWASA letter on January 18, 2017
Long-Range Water Supply Plan Update/Jordan Lake allocation
On November loth, we approved a process and criteria for evaluating supply and demand
management options as we update this plan. The next steps will include receiving population
forecasts for our service area from a regional transportation planning process. Letter to
governing boards on November 4d"
We will not approve an updated plan until after the NC Environmental Management
Commission (EMC)has made a decision on our request to continue our present Jordan Lake
allocation of about 5 million gallons per day (for use only in severe droughts and operational
emergencies). The Division of Water Resources made a presentation on the allocation requests
to the Water Allocation Committee (WAC) of the EMC on January 11; Committee members
were hopeful that the item would be included as an action item on the March WAC and EMC
agendas.
Energy management
On September 8d', we approved evaluation criteria and the approach for energy management
including the use of a"social cost of carbon" based on the methodology used by Federal
agencies. The social cost of carbon is an economic calculation of the damages from greenhouse
gas emissions, such as reduced agricultural yields, disease spread, and loss of ecosystem
services.
The goals of our energy management program include reducing use of purchased electricity by
35% and lowering natural gas use by 5%by the end of 2020, as well as exploring opportunities
for renewable energy generation.
Mountains-to-Sea Trail(MST) on OWASA land near the Cane Creek Reservoir
On August 25th, we approved conditions for allowing the MST on OWASA land near the Cane
Creek Reservoir. The conditions address water quality protection, risks related to hiking and
ensuring that there will be no costs to OWASA due to the trail. The specific route of the trail on
OWASA land is subject to our future approval.
Annual Report 5
January 20, 2017
Page 4
We informed stakeholders about our decision and we encourage residents to participate in the
County's process for considering the MST. Letter to the governing boards on August 26t1
Diversity and Inclusion Program
On November 3rd, we held a special meeting to receive information and insights from five
professionals in Diversity and Inclusion. Staff is revising the draft program submitted to the
Board in June and we will have further discussion in February 2017.
Quality of our treated wastewater and biosolids
In July 2016, we received the Platinum Peak Performance Award from the National Association
of Clean Water Agencies for six consecutive years of meeting all standards for the quality of our
treated wastewater. Our treated wastewater has phosphorus and nitrogen levels well below the
limits set by the State for our Mason Farm Wastewater Treatment Plant.
We also continue to meet all standards for the quality of the treated wastewater solids, and our
Class A biosolids meet federal environmental standards for"exceptional quality." We recycled
our "biosolids"primarily to enhance the soil on approved farmlands. Some biosolids are recycled
at a private composting facility in Chatham County which makes a soil additive for landscaping.
Infrastructure investments
Capital investments, including debt payments for capital projects, account for about half of our
costs. In 2016, we invested about $7.5 million to renew, replace and improve our infrastructure
to maintain the reliability and quality of our services and the structural integrity of facilities.
Current projects
• Replacing water line on part of East Rosemary, Henderson and Hillsborough Streets
• Installing a new water line on part of Hilltop Street
• Replacing sewer near Emory Drive and Brigham Road
• Renovating two of the four biosolids treatment tanks at the Mason Farm Wastewater
Treatment Plant
Upcoming projects
• Replacing water and sewer lines on Dobbins Drive
• Replacing sewer on Bolinwood Drive
• Rehabilitating the pressurized sewer on Prestwick Road near Hamilton Road, and the
wastewater pump station near Providence Road
Completed in 2016
• Water line replacements at Halifax Road, Chase Park Road, Chase Avenue, Weiner
Street, Emory Drive, Purefoy Road (east of South Columbia Street), Plum Lane and
Evergreen Lane/Ridge Lane
Annual Report 6
January 20, 2017
Page 5
• Replacing sewer at Finley Golf Course near Glenwood Elementary
• Pump station rehabilitation in the Piney Mountain neighborhood(north of I-40)
• Rehabilitating electrical items at the Mason Farm Wastewater Treatment Plant's
stormwater pump station
• Replacing the storage tanks for liquid disinfectant at the Jones Ferry Road Water
Treatment Plant
We would be happy to give you more detailed information. Please let Ed Kerwin, Executive
Director (ekerwin @owasa.org or 919-537-4211) or myself know.
Sincerely,
J A. Young, hair
• ' ASA Board of Directors
c: Ms. Bonnie Hammersley, Orange County Manager
Mr. Roger L. Stancil, Chapel Hill Town Manager
Mr. David Andrews, Carrboro Town Manager
OWASA Board of Directors
Ed Kerwin, OWASA Executive Director
7
Timeline of Actions Taken by OWASA and the Orange County Health Department in
Regards to the February 2017 Water Emergency
On February 2, 2017, OWASA's water supply was disrupted by an over-feed of fluoride at its
water treatment plant on the west side of Carrboro; the contaminated water was contained within
an onsite storage facility (the clearwell) and was not introduced to the public water distribution
system. Water was initially supplied by the City of Durham and later by Chatham County
interconnections to meet demand and maintain adequate storage volumes while the water
treatment plant was out of service.
On February 3, 2017, in a separate but compounding event, a 12-inch water distribution main
break occurred on the northeast side of Chapel Hill spilling more than a million gallons of water.
Although, the break was quickly isolated, OWASA promptly issued a"DO NOT USE" directive
due to concerns about its ability to maintain system pressures for water quality and firefighting
needs. Shortly after, the Orange County Health Department issued "DO NOT USE" and"DO
NOT DRINK" directives. These directives were not made because of excess fluoride in the
drinking water.
Early afternoon on February 4, 2017, after tank levels rebounded and test results confirmed that
the water was safe to drink, the"DO NOT USE" and"DO NOT DRINK" directives were lifted.
Between then and when the water treatment plant was restored to service on the evening of
February 4, 2017, the City of Durham and Chatham County connections continued to supply
water to the OWASA distribution system, and OWASA customers were asked to use water only
for essential purposes.
The following timeline for particular events during the water emergency is provided to make a
record of the events and their timeline during the water emergency. This chronology was
prepared from materials available to us as of 10:00 am Wednesday, February 8, 2017, and are
subject to amendments and corrections as may be necessary in light of further investigation.
February 2, 2017
3:00 pm Fluoride overfeed discovered and confirmed by OWASA Water Treatment
Plant(WTP) staff
3:22 pm Finished water pumping from WTP to distribution system is stopped
3:28 pm NC Department of Environmental Quality, Public Water Supply (PWS)
notified
5:09 pm First Durham interconnection activated to maintain system pressure and
meet system demands
6:00 pm News release issued by OWASA advising of the event and requesting
conservation
7:22 pm Began pumping over-fluoridated water from clearwell directly to OWASA
Wastewater Treatment Plant(WWTP)
8:00 pm Notified PWS of ongoing actions to empty clearwell
11:00 pm Second OWASA news release with additional information regarding event
February 3, 2017
8:00 am Third OWASA news release with additional call for conservation
9:30 am Began activation measures for second interconnection with Durham on
Highway 54
8
Timeline of Actions Taken by OWASA and OCHD in Regards to the February 2017 Water
Emergency
February 8, 2017
Page 2
9:30 am Began flushing interconnection with Chatham County
9:30 am Began flushing interconnection with Hillsborough
10:13 am OWASA water main broke in northeast Chapel Hill
11:00 am OWASA requested activation of the Orange County Emergency
Operations Center(EOC) and Water Emergency Team Partners
11:30 am OWASA issued"DO NOT USE" directive to customers to prevent
contamination and protect emergency supply
11:30 am Water main break isolated by locating and closing control valves
12:00 pm Repair work began on water main break
2:00 pm Orange County Health Department(OCHD)issued"DO NOT USE" and
"DO NOT DRINK" directives
2:00 pm Second Durham interconnection activated to maintain pressure and storage
4:00 pm Press briefing by Water Emergency Team Partners and OWASA at Orange
County Emergency Operation Center
5:15 pm Chatham County interconnection activated
10:24 pm Backup pump delivered to primary Durham interconnect and prepared for
service
February 4, 2017
1:30 am Third backup pump activated for dewatering clearwell
9:00 am Began re-filling clearwell with non-fluoridated filtered water
10:30 am Water main repaired; flushing began to ensure water quality
12:34 pm All distribution samples found to be clear and absent of bacteriological
indicators
2:24 pm "DO NOT USE" and "DO NOT DRINK" directives lifted by OCHD and
OWASA
2:30 pm Joint news release on safety of drinking water,progress on repairs, and
request for conservation
3:00 pm Press briefing on progress at Orange County Emergency Operation Center
3:30 pm Boil water advisory issued for customers near line break
5:56 pm Interconnection with Chatham County deactivated
6:30 pm Discharge from clearwell completed
6:37 pm OWASA Water Treatment Plant back in full operation
7:47 pm Second interconnection with Durham deactivated
9:04 pm Primary interconnection with Durham deactivated
In order to ensure that critical public health messages reached as many of our customers as
possible, multiple(and sometimes overlapping) channels were used to release news of changes in
status.
CoUlcen Bridger, MPI ,PhD Ed Kerwin
Orange County Health Director OWASA Executive Director
,o1) MASA,
Pir
OWASA Brief for the Orange County
Board of County Cornmissiciiers and Public
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Key Take-sways
• OWASA apologizes for the hardship
• Public health and safety was our highest priority, we
confirmed that water was safe
• Community partners and customers provided
invaluable assistance — Thank you !
• Communications can be improved significantly;
recognized by partners, too
February 2017 Water Emergency 11
8
Water Plant
7 Shutdown
Thu 3:22 PM Orange County Orange County Health
6 Health Department Department lifts "Do
Primary Durham issues "Do Not Use" Not Use" "Do Not
c interconnect "Do Not Drink" Drink" directives
5 started directives Sat 2:24 PM
4 Thu 5:09 PM Fri 2:00 PM Water Plant in
o ' ' Operation
c 4 Sat 6:37 PM
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Emergency storar Fri 10:13 AM
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Key Near-term Next Steps
• Review emergency communication practices and systems (OWASA
and partners)
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13
Key Near-term Next Steps
• Review emergency communication practices and systems (OWASA
and partners)
• Develop corrective action plan to ensure reliable fluoride system —
to be reviewed by Board of Directors prior to resuming fluoride
addition
• Develop action plan on additional near- and long-term measures
to improve system resiliency
• Continue transparency and proactive community engagement
ORANGE WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY :4 UPDATESON WATER EVENT
oWASA
Apublic, non profit agency providing water,sewer&reclaimed water services to the Carrboro-Chapel Hill community.
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UPDATES ON WATER - s
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CARE TO SHARE
® Donate to help famies n
need. Our award-winning Jones Ferry Road Water 'Treatment Plaw
fc INTER-FAITH COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL SERVICE 15
Emergency Water el
Help tenants forced out of their homes when the Ob^JASA water main broke
on February 3.Six apartments were flooded,two were flooded to the extent AL -4 thatthe residents had to move to a hotel until new apartments could be
made available.Other low income residents had to buy bottled water. of=How Much Would You Like to Donate Today?
$ Amount
https://d on ate now.networkforgood.org/flood
Payment Information
Please click below to choose your payment method.
16
U pcoming OWASA Meetings
• Thursday, February 23, 2017, 7:00 p.m. — Regular Meeting of
the Board of Directors, Chapel Hill Town Hall — Council Chamber,
continue discussion from the February 171h Special Work Session,
including public comment
• Thursday, March 9, 2017, 6:00 p.m. — Work Session of the
Board of Directors, OWASA Community Room, continue discussion
on matters related to the water emergency
17
Contact OWASA: How to help: o o •fe
OWASA o
• www.owasa.org Contact the Inter-Faith Council for
Social Service
• Email OWASA at info@owasa.org • www.ifcweb.or
• Call us at 919-968-4421 donate now.networkforgood.org/flood
• Write us at 400 Jones Ferry Road, • Call at 919-929-6380
Carrboro, NC 27510 • Mail or deliver cash or check to:
Inter-Faith Council for Social Service
• Email OWASA Board & Leadership at: RE: Water Emergency Relief Fund
board_and_leadership@owasa.org 110 W. Main Street
Carrboro, NC 27510