CHARLOTTE WATER
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING
June 18, 2015
Charlotte Water Advisory Committee met Thursday, June 18, 2015, 2:30 pm at 4222 Westmont
Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Members Present:
Jim Duke, Jim Merrifield, Leslie Jones, Frank McMahan,
Ron Charbonneau, Pride Patton
Members Absent:
Ralph Messera
Staff Present:
Barry Gullet
Jennifer Frost
Barry Shearin
Carl Wilson
Regina Cousar
Steve Miller
Cam Coley
Karen Weatherly
Hyong Yi
Utilities Director
Assistant to Director
Deputy Director
Chief Engineer
Utilities Continuous Improvement Officer
Customer Service Manager
Community Information Specialist
City Attorney
Assistant City Manager
Safety Minute
Heat Exhaustion
Minutes
A motion was made by Leslie Jones, and seconded by Jim Merrifield, to approve the May 2015
Minutes. Motion was approved.
Water Quality Report
The Water Quality Report is a mandatory summary of information required by the State of North
Carolina and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to inform Charlotte Water’s
customers about the quality of their drinking water. The Report is posted on our website and
information on customer bills alerts them to the availability and location. There was also
information in mailed water bills about the Report. During this year’s compliance period,
January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014, Charlotte Water was fully compliant with all
standards and requirements. However, a drinking water sampling violation did occur in
February of 2015 which resulted in a Notice of Violation (NOV). The violation was a failure to
collect one sample at one specific site in the water distribution system during the month of
February. The sample site at issue is at one of the elevated water storage tanks. This tank was
out of service for maintenance at the time the sample was scheduled for collection and Charlotte
Water did not follow up as we should have. Charlotte Water has since taken required samples at
the particular site in question and the results demonstrate we are meeting drinking water
standards. However, to resolve the NOV Charlotte Water is required to notify customers of the
violation within a specific time frame. Due to the timing of the Water Quality Report and the
time requirements for the public notification of the NOV, State regulators requested that we
utilize the Water Quality Report to achieve the public notification even though the violation was
outside the year covered by the Report.
Private Systems Purchase
Around the edges of our service area, development has sometimes occurred ahead of public
water service availability by developers building isolated, privately owned water/sewer systems.
The quality and cost of service in private systems is variable. Charlotte Water has a long history
of buying these systems throughout the County as the public system grows within reach. Recent
purchases were related to 2009 & 2011 Charlotte Annexation projects. On Monday, June 22,
2015, Charlotte Water will be presenting to Charlotte City Council a proposal to acquire three
privately owned water systems in the Mint Hill area. Residents and Mint Hill officials have
requested the Utility’s service due to persistent water quality issues, fire protection, and to
maintain cost effectiveness throughout the community. Charlotte Water would like to review
policies and practices around future private system acquisition over the upcoming year.
Sustainability Award
Charlotte Water participates in the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) which
is made up of the larger water utilities across the U.S. AMWA operates a utility recognition
program with a series of awards. In the past, Charlotte Water has received their highest award
which is the Platinum Award. AMWA has added a higher level Sustainability Award which the
previous Platinum Award winners are eligible to apply for. Charlotte Water is applying for this
award and if our application is successful, the award will be presented at AMWA’s Annual
Conference in Savannah, Georgia in October.
Advisory Committee Annual FY15 Annual Report
The annual report is a summary of work of the Charlotte Water Advisory Committee and
Charlotte Water’s operations during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015.
Drought Update
There is a regional (Catawba-Wateree Basin) Drought Management Advisory Group (DMAG)
made up of the water users, resource agencies, regulators, industries, and Duke Energy in place
to provide structure, guidance, and assistance for the water suppliers and Duke Energy during
times of drought. The DMAG was formed in 2006 as a result of Duke Energy’s Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) Relicensing process. The DMAG is activated when specified
conditions indicate the likely onset of drought conditions. Currently, conditions are extremely
close to levels that that would cause such an activation. There are three levels of criteria used to
make the declaration of drought conditions. Of the three indicators, the amount of usable water
available and either one of the other two triggers must indicate drought conditions for a
declaration to be made. The criteria are to be checked at least once each month, generally on the
last day of the month. At the end of May, the criteria indicated normal conditions. However, it
is anticipated that by the end of June it is likely the criteria will place the region into Stage 0. The
five stages of drought conditions are as follows:
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Stage Zero (0) – DMAG is activated and will continue to monitor conditions and
work with DMAG members to prepare for drought.
Stage One – Voluntary conservation efforts are implemented by the DMAG
members and Duke Energy adjusts operations of the river system
Stage Two – Conditions are further deteriorating; mandatory water restrictions
should be applied by water suppliers at this time. Duke continues to adjust
operations to conserve water and preserve lake levels.
Stage Three – More stringent mandatory restrictions should be implemented by
water users. Duke continues to adjust operations to conserve more water to
preserve lake levels.
Stage Four – Failure of one or more water intakes due to low water levels is
imminent. Emergency measures should be implemented.
The Low Inflow Protocol is designed with a goal of never reaching Stage Four. However, in the
event of a drought that is more severe than the drought of record (2007), it is conceivable stage 4
could be reached.
Miscellaneous
Election of New Officers – During next month’s meeting the election of a Committee Chair and
Vice Chair will be held.
Meeting Adjourned 3:50 p.m.
TGN