OWASA Eliminates All Water Restrictions

A proposal to downgrade restrictions only from Stage 2 to Stage 1 was defeated by a majority decision.

All of the board members except one, Mark Marcoplos, agreed that dropping the restrictions entirely would be in the area's best interest at this time.

Just over a month ago, the University Lake and Cane Creek Reservoir were severely below full capacity in the midst of what many have called the worst drought in 75 years. But a surge in October rainfall was enough to return the reservoirs to more comfortable levels.

Latest estimates placed University Lake at full capacity, while Cane Creek was 6 feet below full.

"The key thing to remember is the reservoir system is at 75 percent full capacity," said OWASA Executive Director Ed Kerwin.

Marcoplos was concerned that lifting all restrictions would result in a resurgence in water scarcity by next year and that residents would think they do not need to continue water conservation efforts.

Board Chairwoman Bernadette Pelissier said leaving restrictions in place would be unnecessary because the reservoir system is almost full, although OWASA officials are concerned about recurring water shortages.

"(OWASA) would lose credibility if it was maintaining restrictions meant for a water shortage," she said.

Board member John Smith also said a downgrade to Stage 1 restrictions would be unnecessary. Under Stage 1 restrictions, lawns could be watered three days a week.

Smith said Stage 1 restrictions had no significant impact on water demand but was a serious drain on certain area businesses, including local nurseries. "(A Stage 1 restriction) precludes certain businesses from operating," he said.

Smith said Stage 2 restrictions triggered a significant drop in local water usage, not Stage 1 restrictions. Under Stage 2 restrictions, homeowners could water outside one day a week and no commercial car wash could use OWASA water.

While projections placed water levels low again by next year, Smith said a downgrade to Stage 1 would be ineffective in water preservation and too costly to the local economy.

He said that dropping all restrictions would give much-needed aid to area businesses and that OWASA could determine the impending future of reservoir levels in six months. "(OWASA) will have a much more effective set of measures in place in six months," Smith said.

The board's concerns about lowering all drought restrictions were quelled by Smith, who argued that the costs of continued water restrictions were too heavy for local businesses.

OWASA officials say area residents can expect to reap the benefits of unrestricted water usage immediately.

According to the OWASA Web site, officials will hold a public hearing Nov. 20 to continue drought discussions, namely how OWASA and the community should manage droughts and prepare for future ones. They also will debate whether water-use restrictions for droughts should be changed.

The City Editor can be reached at citydesk@unc.edu.