Sec. 23-67. - Drought condition shortage.

OWASA's drought response strategy and water supply shortage declarations will be guided primarily by the risk that OWASA's water supplies will decline to twenty (20) percent or less of total storage capacity within the next twelve-month period. A stage 1 water shortage declaration will generally correspond to a two (2) percent (or greater) risk that reservoir levels will decline to twenty (20) percent or less of total storage capacity within the next twelve (12) months; provided, however, that in making such a determination, OWASA will also consider the actual and projected severity of the ongoing drought relative to historical droughts included in OWASA's water supply simulation models; existing and anticipated demand, including expected customer response to water use restrictions; availability of supplemental supplies, including water purchases from neighboring communities; regional water supply conditions, including, but not limited to, the concurrent drought response status of neighboring jurisdictions; guidance or directives from the State of North Carolina; and other elements of reasonable professional judgment and management.

More severe water supply shortage stages will subsequently be declared if the risk level increases and/or if other factors indicate that further action is needed. Similarly, OWASA will reduce the severity of, or rescind, a water supply shortage declaration as the risk level and related factors improve.

(Ord. No. 2009-06-08/O-2, § 2)

Sec. 23-68. - Water treatment, storage, or distribution capacity shortage.

In addition to conditions caused by drought, OWASA may declare a water supply shortage or emergency whenever customer demand - as averaged over three (3) consecutive days - exceeds eighty-five (85) percent of OWASA's capability of treating and delivering water. The stage and duration of such a water supply shortage or emergency shall be guided by the degree to which customer demands approach or exceed OWASA's capacity to meet those demands, and by the degree to which conservation efforts successfully reduce short-term demands.

(Ord. No. 2009-06-08/O-2 § 2)

Sec. 23-69. - Disasters and catastrophic equipment or plant failure shortage.

Any other circumstances, including service losses caused by equipment or facility failure, human error, deliberate act, weather, or other natural disaster, which constrain OWASA's water supply, treatment, or distribution capacity to less than that reasonably needed by its customers, shall constitute a water supply shortage up to and including a water supply emergency, requiring immediate action by OWASA.

(Ord. No. 2009-06-08/O-2 § 2)