By Kirk Ross
Staff Writer
With reservoirs still filling from recent rains and a more favorable forecast from climatologists in hand, Orange Water and Sewer Authority officials are cautiously reviewing the need for continued Stage Three water restrictions.
The restrictions, which went into effect this month, could be dialed back to Stage Two soon should OWASA planners and directors decide they’re comfortable enough with the current state of the reservoirs.
Levels for Cane Creek, University Lake and the American Stone Quarry topped 60 percent of capacity on April 1, a threshold that OWASA engineers had recommended as necessary before lifting Stage Three restrictions.
While giving his monthly water update to the Carrboro Board of Aldermen Tuesday night at Town Hall, OWASA executive director Ed Kerwin said OWASA will study several factors before taking that step.
“The situation is quite a bit improved since I visited with you a month ago,†Kerwin said.
Then, reservoir levels were hovering around 40 percent of capacity. As of Tuesday, they had returned to 60 percent, thanks in large part to higher than normal rainfall during March. In addition, he said, the National Weather Service’s forecast for the next few months showed that La Niña conditions, which were causing the extended period of dry weather in the southern United States, were weakening considerably.
Kerwin said that in addition to the weather appearing to cooperate, OWASA’s customers have stepped up to help meet the Stage Three goal of a 20 percent reduction in demand.