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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 02-17-2026; 4-a - OWASA Annual Update Presentation 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: February 17, 2026 Action Agenda Item No. 4-a SUBJECT: OWASA Annual Update Presentation DEPARTMENT: ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: OWASA Quarterly Report Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board, 919- 245-2130 Gabrielle Boyce, Orange Water and Sewer Authority, 919-537-4217 PURPOSE: To receive a presentation and information from the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) on recent activities. BACKGROUND: At the beginning of each calendar year, OWASA representatives appear before the Board of Commissioners to make a presentation on recent OWASA activities. OWASA Board Chair Michael Hughes, Secretary Johnny Randall, and Executive Director Todd Taylor will present the annual update. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item. ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: • GUIDING PRINCIPLE — PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION We build meaningful relationships and connections that allow us to create holistic and integrated systems of support for all. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the presentation and information and provide any feedback as necessary. 2 OWASA Orange Water and Sewer Authority -- - Our community's trusted partner for clean water and environmental protection Mayor Jessica Anderson Mayor Barbara Foushee Chair Jean Hamilton Town of Chapel Hill Town of Carrboro Orange County Board of 405 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 301 West Main Street Commissioners Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Carrboro, NC 27510 Post Office Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Subject:January 2026 Quarterly Report to Local Governments January 30, 2026 Dear Mayor Anderson, Mayor Foushee, and Chair Hamilton: We are pleased to submit this update on our services, projects, and initiatives since October 2025.This report includes updates on the following items: 1. Water Treatment Plant Construction: New Clearwell and Advanced Treatment for PFAS 2. UNC Study of PFAS in Local Drinking Water Wells 3. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at OWASA 4. Galvanized Service Line Replacement Program to Launch 5. Addressing Morgan Creek Flooding Following Tropical Storm Chantal 6. OWASA's Standards and Specifications for Developers, Contractors and Engineers 7. Southern Area Sewer Planning Study 8. Considerations on Reimbursement for Water and Sewer System Development/Extension 9. Water Bill Assistance: Care to Share and Plans for a Water Bill Relief Pilot Proiect 10. Capital Improvement Proiects Water Treatment Plant Construction: New Clearwell and Advanced Treatment for PFAS Two major construction projects are on the horizon for OWASA's Jones Ferry Road campus: the board- approved replacement of the aging Clearwell,which stores and disinfects drinking water before it is distributed to the community, and, potentially, an advanced drinking water treatment facility that would more efficiently remove PFAS and other constituents.These facilities were initially planned to be constructed concurrently, but the successful use of powdered activated carbon (PAC)to effectively treat A400 Jones Ferry Road,Carrboro,NC 27510 0 919-968-4421 O info@owasa.org 0 @OWASA_NC 0 www.owasa.org 3 OWASA Quarterly Report January 2026 Page 2 for PFAS, along with regulatory uncertainty and limited space on the campus, has slowed our timeline to better consider implementing additional PFAS treatment. At their special meeting on January 22, OWASA's Board of Directors agreed to a process for evaluating options for the new Clearwell to ensure its timely and necessary construction. It is anticipated that the Board will reach a final decision on the location of the Clearwell in April 2026, after which detailed design can begin.The Board has deferred the design of an advanced granulated activated carbon (GAC) water treatment facility to remove PFAS and other contaminants, in order to consider it with a more holistic PFAS management strategy. PFAS in Local Drinking Water Wells PFAS in local private drinking water wells in Orange,Alamance, and Chatham counties will be studied after resident-requested water quality testing showed elevated levels of PFAS in some wells. In May 2025, OWASA received results from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality testing of PFAS in drinking water wells adjacent to some farms where OWASA and other utilities land-apply biosolids. OWASA organized a working group to discuss the issue with public and environmental health experts from the three counties,the UNC Institute for the Environment, staff and leadership from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, and the N.C. Collaboratory.The group identified the need for a study to evaluate PFAS levels in additional wells and potential sources as a top priority. An interdisciplinary team at UNC is developing a pilot study that will launch in 2026. More details will be shared when they become available. Due to legacy application of biosolids in the area by other utilities, and other unknown potential sources of PFAS, it is important to study the PFAS distribution in the area more broadly to get a holistic view of how PFAS is reaching drinking water wells. The study's results will inform residents of the safety of their drinking water, identify potential sources of PFAS, and help affected residents determine whether they need to treat their drinking water. OWASA staff continue to work with this group as the study develops. Additionally,the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality continues to offer PFAS testing for private drinking water wells through the Bernard Allen Emergency Drinking Water Fund. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at OWASA This quarter, our Wastewater Treatment Apprentice finished their year-long training, and new apprentices began their training at the water and wastewater treatment plants. OWASA's apprentice program provides opportunities for underrepresented communities in the water and wastewater industries, broadening the overall pool of candidates in the industry and opening doors for people of varied backgrounds. 4 OWASA Quarterly Report January 2026 Page 3 To build on a sense of belonging for employees at OWASA, the Employee Development Committee was established in 2025 to encourage and support employee development across the organization. Last quarter, the Committee worked to establish Employee Development Guiding Principles, and a needs assessment is underway to develop a multi-year employee development plan.This program is designed to strengthen employees' skills and capabilities while fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued and has equal access to opportunities and resources. On Veterans Day,the commander of the local Disabled American Veterans office spoke to OWASA veterans about benefits for which they may be eligible to receive related to their veteran status. OWASA strives to ensure veterans are aware of opportunities and benefits at OWASA, and to ensure their experience as OWASA employees is fulfilling. VISIONS Inc. provided DEIB training to new OWASA Board Members on January 14 and continues to provide DEIB training to new supervisors at OWASA. Galvanized Service Line Replacement Program to Launch Galvanized pipe has the potential to "collect" lead particles if they are downstream of a lead pipe.These particles can be released into drinking water if there is a disruption to the service line (such as a meter replacement, nearby water line break, etc.). Currently,there are no lead water lines in OWASA's service area. However, on 92 drinking water service lines in the community, it cannot be proven that there was never lead pipes or fixtures upstream of them, so we must assume that there was. All property owners were notified first in October 2024 and again in October 2025. At a special meeting on January 22, the OWASA Board of Directors received an update on OWASA's plans to replace the drinking water service lines made of galvanized steel. Beginning this summer,the 92 properties known to be served by galvanized drinking water service lines will be replaced with new service lines at no direct cost to the customer.The program, catalyzed by the federal Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), is expected to take 18 months to complete. Replacement of the service lines will require OWASA to obtain permission from property owners to perform the work on their property. Staff plan to contact property owners in February to explain the replacement program and request permission to perform the replacement work. Addressing Morgan Creek Flooding Following Tropical Storm Chantal Following Tropical Storm Chantal, residents of Weatherhill Pointe and Berryhill neighborhoods, both just downstream of University Lake Dam, reached out to OWASA with concerns about future flooding. In August, OWASA attended a community meeting with Orange County Emergency Management and Carrboro Fire staff to answer questions about the storm's impacts at University Lake and whether the management of the dam affected the extent of flooding. 5 OWASA Quarterly Report January 2026 Page 4 Following the meeting, conversations continued between OWASA staff and residents of the impacted neighborhoods. Noticing many questions about flood control and the University Lake Dam, it was clear that a community meeting at the dam would be helpful to improve understanding of the structure and identify OWASA's role in supporting the community on this issue. This meeting, held on November 20, illuminated the need for further guidance on how to address community flooding issues. In response, OWASA reached out to state and federal elected officials for insight, and organized a meeting of local leaders, initially scheduled for January 26,to discuss potential ways to address flooding concerns and provide guidance for concerned residents of these neighborhoods.The meeting was rescheduled for February 16 due to the recent winter storm.The goal of this meeting is to identify the best course of action for residents concerned about future flooding, and what entities should be involved in flood management for these communities. OWASA's Standards and Specifications for Developers, Contractors and Engineers In early December, OWASA announced changes to its design standards and specifications. Changes include: • revisions to specific details of fire hydrant construction requested by fire chiefs; • conformity of certain roadway details to Town standards; • irrigation system connection configuration to facilitate water conservation response; • clarification of rules regarding dumpster pads; • encroachments into OWASA easements for new construction; and • private master-metered systems and private collection systems. Southern Area Sewer Planning Study In November, OWASA began a planning study for the expanded OWASA service area adjacent to US Highway 15-501 on the south side of Chapel Hill.The study is being funded by the Town of Chapel Hill and will evaluate potential routes and design criteria for the sewer collection system to serve this recently expanded urban services area. A progress report for the study will be presented to the OWASA Board in mid-February, and the study is expected to be finalized in March. Considerations on Reimbursement for Water and Sewer System Development/Extension In November, OWASA staff provided the Board background information related to the potential development of an expanded reimbursement policy to cover extensions to the OWASA water and sewer system.The Board expressed general support for having staff propose a policy that would more equitably distribute the cost of main extensions to the parties benefiting from those extensions; support 6 OWASA Quarterly Report January 2026 Page 5 the planned growth of the Towns and County; and support the development of housing in the service area. Staff will propose a draft policy for the Board's consideration in the coming months. Water Bill Assistance:Care to Share and Plans for a Water Bill Relief Pilot Project OWASA's Care to Share Program, our community's water bill assistance program, was recognized by Carrboro and Chapel Hill town councils in November with proclamations naming November 20, 2025 "Care to Share Day" in our community. Mayors Anderson and Foushee supported the program by being featured in a "Dare to Share" promotional video that launched in 2024 and was used again in 2025. In 2025,the community donated over$24,000 to the Care to Share Program, and the "Dare to Share" campaign raised over$650 in additional funds this year. Every$250 raised allows OWASA to help a family in a time of need to cover up to two months of their water bills. In 2025, Care to Share provided $29,318 of financial support to customers. OWASA will be working through the Towns' and County's Outside Agency Funding process to establish a water bill relief pilot project in Fiscal Year 2027.The goal of the pilot program is to provide sustained water bill assistance to low-income customers in our community. If funded, OWASA will partner with Orange County Department of Social Services to determine eligibility for the pilot program and will apply up to 50% bill credit every month for participating customers. Capital Improvement Projects West Rosemary Street Water Main Replacement Project: In early October, work on this project began with mobilization of materials and equipment to the site.The project will take place in eight phases over 18 months. Over the last quarter, crews have installed a temporary water main, temporary service lines, and temporary fire hydrants for the first sections of the project area. We are sending out updates every Friday to give neighbors, businesses, and other interested stakeholders a projection of the work to expect in the week ahead.To see more information on this project and sign up for weekly updates, please visit: owasa.org/rosemary. Ridgefield-Briarcliff Water Main Replacement Project: OWASA is working with a contractor to replace 18,000 feet of aging water main in the Ridgefield-Briarcliff neighborhood.The project will also involve cleaning and inspecting sewer mains in the neighborhood. Last quarter, drone footage of the project area was completed for project mapping, and sewer improvements were completed in some areas to be upgraded during this project. Utility locate work was completed last quarter, and construction to replace the water main began in earnest in January.The project is expected to be complete in fall of 2027. 7 OWASA Quarterly Report January 2026 Page 6 East Poplar Water Line Replacement:This project was completed in December 2025, and temporary paving is in place.The Town of Carrboro is planning to complete final paving in late 2026. South Circle Drive Water Line Replacement: Installation of new water lines through the neighborhood was complete last quarter, but before residents in one part of the neighborhood were connected to a section of new line, repeated water quality samples were unsatisfactory. Crews will soon begin removing this section of line and replacing it.This project is expected to be complete by February. We are happy to provide more detailed information on the items above or other topics of interest as desired. Please feel free to contact our Executive Director,Todd Taylor(ttaylor@owasa.org or 919-537- 4216), or me. Sincerely, ����•'"`a 11 a r',,e _ r z AU- Michael Michael Hughes, Chair �6g7 Board of Directors „(, :Co cc Cog' � ••. NC1NE. • " �� F4 v�,•�' Attachments cc: Mr. Ted Voorhees, Chapel Hill Town Manager Mr.Travis Myren, Orange County Manager Ms. Patrice Toney, Carrboro Town Manager OWASA Board of Directors Todd Taylor, OWASA Executive Director