By Ben Gellman
WCHL Reporter

OWASA Director of Planning Ed Holland says the group understands the worries many locals have about the possibility of running out of water in a dry spell.

He says that led to a study on the long-range water supply for the town of Carrboro.  The study made a few recommendations, chief among them the expansion of OWASA’s Quarry Reservoir west of the town, which OWASA considers the most cost-effective option.  And costs are an issue; OWASA’s budget has risen significantly over the past few years, and Holland answered for that.

The idea of purchasing water from neighboring utilities was also encouraged, and Holland says the town should pursue such a method before declaring a water supply shortage in the future.  And while it could be expensive, the aldermen, including the recently reelected Jacquelyn Gist, accepted the cost of such a vital service.

One option OWASA recommended against: waterless toilets.  Holland said the cost of replacing all the toilets necessary would be far too high if the town provided direct financial incentives.