Drought Restrictions

As of October 1, 2007, the OWASA reservoirs are 56% full. According to the state climatologist, La Nina conditions are expected to continue the drought well into the winter months. La Nina is cooler than normal ocean temperatures in the Pacific Ocean that affect weather patterns in North Carolina. There are about 10-12 reliable indicators, but drought prediction is still a nascent science. So while these predictions could be totally wrong; the state climatologist (Ryan Boyles) just doesn't think so.

And yet, just last week, OWASA wrote to the towns, "We believe there is little risk of running out of water this year, but the community could face a substantially more serious shortage next year, when it will be too late to catch up, if rainfall and streamflow are less than normal this winter."

See page 5 of this letter for a chart of what is and is not allowed at the various stages of water restriction. If OWASA is saying that there will be a serious shortage next year if there is less than normal rainfall this winter, and if the state climatologist is predicting a dry winter, why are we allowing up to 1,000 gallons per day of outdoor irrigation (for those on irrigation meters)?

Last weekend I sent an email to all elected officials in Chapel Hill and Carrboro asking that they request a change in the irrigation restrictions effective immediately. Last night Carrboro asked citizens to voluntarily cut back to 500 gallons and also agreed to contact Chapel Hill and OWASA for tightening the current guidelines: "The board voted to pass a resolution asking its residents to cut back to 500 gallons a day, and agreed that Chilton should contact Mayor Kevin Foy in Chapel Hill and ask that he present the same idea to the Chapel Hill Town Council and that he contact OWASA officials to say the aldermen are strongly in favor of tighter restrictions." (Chapel Hill Herald, October 3, 2007)

OWASA, as a non-profit organization, needs to collect sufficient revenues to pay their costs, even during a drought. Continuing to allow irrigation, especially with their new cost structure, passes the extra financial burden of conservation onto those who abuse the community good. But the long-term risk associated with drought, leaves me to believe the greater community good would be better served through a cost recovery mechanism that does not involve wasting a limited, precious resource.

Serious drought frequency has risen since 2000, whether we attribute it to global warming, growing populations, or changing weather patterns. We as a community need to look into new ways of protecting our water resources while also protecting the financial integrity of OWASA.