WATER SHORTAGE RESPONSE PLAN
ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM, INC.
Revised January 23, 2020
The procedures herein are written to reduce potable water demand and supplement
existing drinking water supplies whenever existing water supply sources are inadequate
to meet current demands for potable water.
I. Authorization
In the event of a water shortage, the Board of Directors of Orange-Alamance Water System, Inc., establishes the authority to implement water shortage response actions
to Leo Allison, President of Orange-Alamance Water System, Inc. In his absence, Christoper Dale Hamby, water treatment plant manager, is designated as an alternate to assume this role.
Leo Allison Christopher Dale Hamby
President Water Treatment Plant Manager
Tel.#: (919) 563-6212 Tel.#: (919) 732-7812
E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
II. Notification
Water system employees will be notified when the water shortage response protocols are activated or changed and will also be notified accordingly the required response measures. Likewise, water users will be notified by radio public service announcements, local newspapers, notice included with bills, and notice posted in main office and on the OAWS, Inc. website. Water users will also be notified in the same manner when restrictive measures are no longer in effect.
III. Levels of Response
The severity or stage of the water shortage shall be determined by the usable water capacity for Orange-Alamance Water System, Inc. available in Lake Orange, the Eno River, and the City of Burlington’s water supply. Orange-Alamance has four wells which are used as a supplement. Three levels of water shortage response are outlined below. The three levels of water shortage response are: voluntary restrictions, mandatory restrictions, and rationing. The stages outlined below present the specific conditions that will be used to trigger drinking water use restrictions.
IV. Restrictive Measures in Effect at Each Stage of Water Shortage
●Normal conditions - no restrictions
●Stage 1 - Voluntary restrictions
1.This stage will be implemented when the usable water capacity remaining is less than 180 days of supply.
2.Restrictive measures recommendations will be communicated to Orange- Alamance water users by radio public service announcements, notice on water bills, local newspapers, notice placed in main office and OAWS, Inc. website.
3.A usage reduction of 10% would be recommended for all customers in Orange County. (Alamance County customers would be subject to the City of Burlington’s water supply availability).
●Stage 2 - Mandatory Restrictions
1.This stage will be implemented when the usable water capacity remaining is 135 days of supply.
2.Restrictive measure recommendations in Stage 1 shall be required for all Orange County customers. (Alamance County customers would be subject to the City of Burlington’s water supply availability).
3.A usage reduction of 20% would be recommended to all Orange County customers. (Alamance County customers would be subject to the City of Burlington’s water supply availability).
4.No vehicle washing is allowed. Commercial vehicle washing will be permitted.
5.No pressure washing allowed. Commercial pressure washing will be permitted.
6.No filling newly constructed swimming pools or refilling swimming pools.
7.No usage for dust control or compaction.
8.Outdoor water use would be limited to Wednesday and Saturdays from 6:00 p. m. - 9:00 p. m.
●Stage 3 - Rationing
1. This stage will be implemented when the usable water capacity remaining
is less than 90 days of supply.
2. Usage reduction of 30% for both residential and business customers in
Orange County is required. (Alamance County customers would be
subject to the City of Burlington’s water supply availability). An . allowance would be made for medical exemptions.
3. No outdoor water usage permitted, other than emergency/fire protection.
4. Customers will not be required to use less than the billing minimum.
5. Orange-Alamance will further decrease usage or enhance water availability
with the following practices:
(a)Flushing of water lines will be done only in emergency situations
(b)Utilize interconnections to the extent possible
(c)Provide local newspapers and post on OAWS website with pertinent information to keep customers informed
(d)Decreasing tank levels to the extent possible, thereby lowering the water pressure in the Orange-Alamance distribution system
V. Violations & Enforcement
Any customer of Orange-Alamance who violates any provision of this policy
shall first be verbally warned of such violation. A copy of the water
restrictions notification will be provided to the water user. If such violation
continues, water user shall be subject to having water service discontinued upon a determination by the Board of Directors that any such water user has violated the provision of this policy. A fine will not be levied: however, a $50.00 re-connection
fee will be accessed if water service is discontinued. Orange-Alamance may also notify the Orange & Alamance County Sheriffs’ Departments for citations to be issued. Citations will be issued only upon complaint from Orange-Alamance. Orange County and Alamance County sheriffs’ departments are to notify Orange-Alamance at (919) 563-6212 regarding complaints received about water restriction violators.
VI. Water Users Review & Comment
Water users input and review of the Water Shortage Response Plan is encouraged by the
Board of Directors. A copy of the revised WSRP will be available to all water users for
review prior to adoption by the Board of Directors. The revised WSRP will also be posted on the Orange-Alamance website (www.orange.alamancewater.com ). It is recommended by the Board of Directors that water users attend the monthly Board of Directors meeting held on the last Thursday of each month to address any concerns or make comments about the WSRP. Any water user that cannot attend will be allowed the option to submit a written comment for review and discussion.
VII. Variances
Variance requests will be reviewed by the Board of Directors and staff to determine the
validity of the request. Based on the following factors, a determination will be made by the Board whether or not to allow a variance. These factors include: determining impact
on water demand, duration of request, if necessary and is essential use of drinking water,
and fairness to other water users. The water user will be notified of the decision to allow or disallow the variance by telephone and/or letter.
VIII. Effectiveness
The effectiveness of the Orange-Alamance Water System, Inc. WSRP will be measured by data collected from weekly reports of water pumped to the system from the treatment plant, wells and purchases, as well as data collected from monthly billing registers before, during and after water shortage restrictions. From this data, a determination will be made as to whether or not conservation measures will need to be revised.
Revisions to Policy
The protocols will need to be revised if a change in water supplies occurs or in response to comments or concerns from water users. The WSRP will be reviewed and revised by
the Board of Directors every five years or at an earlier date if the need arises due to an emergency or other circumstances that have a major effect on water supplies. The President of Orange-Alamance will be responsible for plan revision.
WATER SHORTAGE RESPONSE PLAN
ORANGE-ALAMANCE WATER SYSTEM, INC.
Revised January 23, 2020
The procedures herein are written to reduce potable water demand and supplement
existing drinking water supplies whenever existing water supply sources are inadequate
to meet current demands for potable water.
I. Authorization
In the event of a water shortage, the Board of Directors of Orange-Alamance Water System, Inc., establishes the authority to implement water shortage response actions
to Leo Allison, President of Orange-Alamance Water System, Inc. In his absence, Christoper Dale Hamby, water treatment plant manager, is designated as an alternate to assume this role.
Leo Allison Christopher Dale Hamby
President Water Treatment Plant Manager
Tel.#: (919) 563-6212 Tel.#: (919) 732-7812
E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
II. Notification
Water system employees will be notified when the water shortage response protocols are activated or changed and will also be notified accordingly the required response measures. Likewise, water users will be notified by radio public service announcements, local newspapers, notice included with bills, and notice posted in main office and on the OAWS, Inc. website. Water users will also be notified in the same manner when restrictive measures are no longer in effect.
III. Levels of Response
The severity or stage of the water shortage shall be determined by the usable water capacity for Orange-Alamance Water System, Inc. available in Lake Orange, the Eno River, and the City of Burlington’s water supply. Orange-Alamance has four wells which are used as a supplement. Three levels of water shortage response are outlined below. The three levels of water shortage response are: voluntary restrictions, mandatory restrictions, and rationing. The stages outlined below present the specific conditions that will be used to trigger drinking water use restrictions.
IV. Restrictive Measures in Effect at Each Stage of Water Shortage
●Normal conditions - no restrictions
●Stage 1 - Voluntary restrictions
1.This stage will be implemented when the usable water capacity remaining is less than 180 days of supply.
2.Restrictive measures recommendations will be communicated to Orange- Alamance water users by radio public service announcements, notice on water bills, local newspapers, notice placed in main office and OAWS, Inc. website.
3.A usage reduction of 10% would be recommended for all customers in Orange County. (Alamance County customers would be subject to the City of Burlington’s water supply availability).
●Stage 2 - Mandatory Restrictions
1.This stage will be implemented when the usable water capacity remaining is 135 days of supply.
2.Restrictive measure recommendations in Stage 1 shall be required for all Orange County customers. (Alamance County customers would be subject to the City of Burlington’s water supply availability).
3.A usage reduction of 20% would be recommended to all Orange County customers. (Alamance County customers would be subject to the City of Burlington’s water supply availability).
4.No vehicle washing is allowed. Commercial vehicle washing will be permitted.
5.No pressure washing allowed. Commercial pressure washing will be permitted.
6.No filling newly constructed swimming pools or refilling swimming pools.
7.No usage for dust control or compaction.
8.Outdoor water use would be limited to Wednesday and Saturdays from 6:00 p. m. - 9:00 p. m.
●Stage 3 - Rationing
1. This stage will be implemented when the usable water capacity remaining
is less than 90 days of supply.
2. Usage reduction of 30% for both residential and business customers in
Orange County is required. (Alamance County customers would be
subject to the City of Burlington’s water supply availability). An . allowance would be made for medical exemptions.
3. No outdoor water usage permitted, other than emergency/fire protection.
4. Customers will not be required to use less than the billing minimum.
5. Orange-Alamance will further decrease usage or enhance water availability
with the following practices:
(a)Flushing of water lines will be done only in emergency situations
(b)Utilize interconnections to the extent possible
(c)Provide local newspapers and post on OAWS website with pertinent information to keep customers informed
(d)Decreasing tank levels to the extent possible, thereby lowering the water pressure in the Orange-Alamance distribution system
V. Violations & Enforcement
Any customer of Orange-Alamance who violates any provision of this policy
shall first be verbally warned of such violation. A copy of the water
restrictions notification will be provided to the water user. If such violation
continues, water user shall be subject to having water service discontinued upon a determination by the Board of Directors that any such water user has violated the provision of this policy. A fine will not be levied: however, a $50.00 re-connection
fee will be accessed if water service is discontinued. Orange-Alamance may also notify the Orange & Alamance County Sheriffs’ Departments for citations to be issued. Citations will be issued only upon complaint from Orange-Alamance. Orange County and Alamance County sheriffs’ departments are to notify Orange-Alamance at (919) 563-6212 regarding complaints received about water restriction violators.
VI. Water Users Review & Comment
Water users input and review of the Water Shortage Response Plan is encouraged by the
Board of Directors. A copy of the revised WSRP will be available to all water users for
review prior to adoption by the Board of Directors. The revised WSRP will also be posted on the Orange-Alamance website (www.orange.alamancewater.com ). It is recommended by the Board of Directors that water users attend the monthly Board of Directors meeting held on the last Thursday of each month to address any concerns or make comments about the WSRP. Any water user that cannot attend will be allowed the option to submit a written comment for review and discussion.
VII. Variances
Variance requests will be reviewed by the Board of Directors and staff to determine the
validity of the request. Based on the following factors, a determination will be made by the Board whether or not to allow a variance. These factors include: determining impact
on water demand, duration of request, if necessary and is essential use of drinking water,
and fairness to other water users. The water user will be notified of the decision to allow or disallow the variance by telephone and/or letter.
VIII. Effectiveness
The effectiveness of the Orange-Alamance Water System, Inc. WSRP will be measured by data collected from weekly reports of water pumped to the system from the treatment plant, wells and purchases, as well as data collected from monthly billing registers before, during and after water shortage restrictions. From this data, a determination will be made as to whether or not conservation measures will need to be revised.
Revisions to Policy
The protocols will need to be revised if a change in water supplies occurs or in response to comments or concerns from water users. The WSRP will be reviewed and revised by
the Board of Directors every five years or at an earlier date if the need arises due to an emergency or other circumstances that have a major effect on water supplies. The President of Orange-Alamance will be responsible for plan revision.
