This month on “Wonderful Water,” join 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell for a conversation with OWASA Director of Water Resources Allison Spinelli and Mary Tiger, Director of Community Relations about the current status of “Exceptional Drought” Orange and surrounding counties are experiencing — along with what separates a drought from a water shortage, what community members can do to contribute to saving water and preventing potential emergencies, the stages of water shortages, and more!
97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell, OWASA Director of Water Resources Allison Spinelli and Mary Tiger, OWASA Director of Community Relations
OWASA policy is to announce a water supply advisory when reservoirs are 70 percent full, with further restrictions and surcharges from there if levels continue to drop over time. These measures are not punitive, they are meant to protect the community’s continued access to water.
Nearly 20 years ago, in the 2007-2008 drought — the last major drought in our area — OWASA adopted drought surcharges, temporarily applied to water use during drought conditions, particularly at higher levels of consumption and for irrigation.
According to OWASA, Orange County is not yet in a Water Shortage — though, should drought conditions continue, that could change. Across our community, households and businesses are suing less water than they were decades ago, and that investment in efficiency continues to pay off.
You can listen to the full conversation below, and visit the Wonderful Water page here for more interviews and stories about the work OWASA does in our community.
Chapel Hill and Carrboro residents use roughly 7 million gallons of water a day, and “Wonderful Water” is a monthly conversation sponsored by the Orange Water and Sewer Authority highlighting its work to keep our community growing and water flowing.
Presented by the Orange Water and Sewer Authority
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