Four governments look to draw Jordan water

Western Triangle providers speed plans

Four local government entities are accelerating plans to build a water intake on the western shore of Jordan Lake.

Durham, the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (serving Chapel Hill and Carrboro) and Chatham and Orange counties are discussing joining in the construction and operation of the water connection. It would provide an extra reservoir during future droughts. In Chatham's case, the new intake would help feed rising demand in that rapidly growing county.

A direct connection with Jordan Lake to serve western Triangle water providers has long been on the horizon.

But the drought, as well as the prospect that climate change could mean projections of future rainfall are overestimated, has officials looking to speed things along.

"If we could pool our resources and access the allocation, it starts to make some financial sense," Durham Deputy City Manager Ted Voorhees said.

Each of the governments has been given state permission to draw a certain amount of water from Jordan Lake every day.

Durham can draw up to 10 million gallons, Chatham up to 6 million, OWASA 5 million and Orange 1 million. But none of them now has a direct connection with the lake.

Durham now gets part of its daily allocation of 10 million gallons through the town of Cary, which does have direct Jordan access.

Jordan Lake has been less affected by the drought than the Neuse Basin reservoirs that serve Raleigh and Durham, partly because it is fed by a much larger watershed and also because not as much water is being drawn from it.

Voorhees said Friday he thinks construction of the intake remains more than five years off, but less than 10. It's too early to specific about cost, he added, but he estimated it to be in the tens of millions of dollars.

Public hearings, state approval, negotiations between the four parties and, of course, money are all needed. Also, some or all of the governments likely will need to get permission to draw more than their current allocation.

John Morris, director of the N.C. Division of Water Resources, has been in discussions about the partnership. He thinks it's a good idea.

"Jordan Lake is quite drought resistant," Morris said. "If this is successful, that will be probably a good cost-effective long-term solution."