Carolina strives to reduce
water use by 25 percent

Carolina will aim to cut its water usage by 25 percent as this area faces one of the worst droughts in its history.

That target, announced by Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Nancy Suttenfield, came as the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) prepared to enact emergency water conservation measures to take effect Sept. 9. OWASA supplies water to Chapel Hill and Carrboro. The University and UNC Hospitals use 30 percent of that supply.

"The drought continues to become more and more severe," Suttenfield said. "Because we're such a large OWASA customer, we know that we must play a large role in helping the community conserve. We're committed to being a partner with Chapel Hill and Carrboro in doing that.

"A 25 percent reduction will not be easy to achieve, but by pulling together I'm confident that we'll be able to reach that target."

This is the first time that OWASA has enacted emergency conservation measures, which include prohibiting the use of OWASA water for any outdoor purpose other than putting out a fire.

Ed Kerwin, OWASA's executive director, met with the University's Emergency Management Committee on Sept. 6 to brief members on the looming crisis. He said OWASA's reservoirs are at about 40 percent capacity. The Cane Creek reservoir, which provides 85 percent of OWASA's water and is the system's largest, has fallen 16 feet below capacity -- its lowest level since opening in 1989. Under a worst-case scenario with no additional supply coming into its reservoirs, OWASA would run out of water early in 2003 if demand remained at normal levels.

"This is a critical situation, and we're treating it as such," Suttenfield said. "Having plenty of water is something we're all used to taking for granted, but we can't take it for granted now."

Carolina officials will meet this week to develop a plan for reducing campus water use. That plan will include limiting all outdoor irrigation to well water, something the University already is doing in most cases. Other measures will include ways to reduce the amount of OWASA water that is chilled and used to cool air for Carolina's central air-conditioning systems. Thirty-four percent of University water usage goes to heating and cooling needs.

"Chilled water is where we have the greatest potential to save, simply because that's where our greatest usage is," Suttenfield said.
But, she added, individuals can make a big difference, too.

"We all can help," Suttenfield said. "Just stop and think about how you use water and how you can save it. We can't afford to take water for granted any longer. We can't afford to let it simply go down the drain."
Suttenfield noted that some employees who live outside of Orange County may not realize how bad the drought here is, given that water supplies for their home communities may be in much better shape.
"Our employees need to remember that when they're at work, they're using OWASA water and need to do everything they can to conserve it," Suttenfield said.

For tips on how to save water, see the box below or visit the OWASA web site at www.owasa.org.
Carolina has already taken a number of steps to conserve water, such as reducing outdoor irrigation, responding to water-leak calls as emergency priorities and installing low-flow showerheads in most old residence halls. Such efforts have helped, cutting consumption here by 5 percent in July compared to the previous month.
"I'm pleased with the way the campus community has responded, but we're going to have to do more," Suttenfield said.

Tips to save water • Report all leaks to the Facilities Services' work reception center at 962-3456 or via the web at www.fac.unc.edu. • Limit showers to five minutes. • Do not leave faucets running while brushing teeth or shaving. • Do not leave water running while washing dishes or cleaning laboratory items. • Operate dishwashers and other cleaning appliances with full loads ONLY.