Earlier this month, two separate incidents in Carrboro and Chapel Hill, North Carolina led to a state of emergency, leaving more than 80,000 customers without water for over 24 hours and millions in economic losses. [4] [5] First, an accidental overfeed of fluoride at the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) water treatment plant left a large amount of already treated water unusable. The following day, a massive water-main break sent water gushing through the streets in Chapel Hill. [1][2][3]
The infrastructure eruption caused restaurants, schools, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to close for lack of water service. The University’s high-profile men’s basketball game between No. 12 North Carolina and No. 20 Notre Dame was postponed and moved to Greensboro because of the incident. [1]
The financial ramifications were staggering. According to an article in Chapel Hill News, the economic losses are estimated upward of $3 million. Eleven Chapel Hill and Carrboro hotels occupy nearly $500,000 of this financial blow, which may be a result of decreased basketball attendees. [2]
In an interview with the Greensboro based News and Record, Aaron Nelson, president of the Chapel Hill – Carrboro Chamber of Commerce commented on the financial loss sustained to the community. “A health care facility just told me the financial losses devastated them. They closed five health center locations, and the financial impact was extraordinary in terms of lost appointments.” [2]
The water line that burst was “doomed for an early failure in its useful life”, said Executive Director of OWASA, Ed Kerwin. The 44-year old pipe lies only 3 feet underground and less than a foot away from a sewer pipe, which does not meet modern standards. [1]
Chapel Hill News reports, “About 20 percent of OWASA’s 380 miles of pipes are at least 40 years old, and the average age is 31. OWASA spends 50 cents of every dollar on infrastructure, including $24 million that will replace 16 miles of pipe in the next five years.” [1]
Published 2/24/2017
[1] Chapel Hill News. OWASA reports to Chapel Hill council, sets Friday board meeting. Chapel Hill News, February 14, 2017. Web. http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/community/chapel-hill-news/article132568024.html [2] Eanes, Z., Grubb, T. Agency to hire outside consultant to probe Chapel Hill water emergency. The Chapel Hill News, February 7, 2017. Web. http://www.greensboro.com/ap/state/agency-to-hire-outside-consultant-to-probe-chapel-hill-water/article_92a5b3c2-c9b4-52a8-950e-d0e89e532a19.html [3] Beckett, Steph. OWASA Working to Keep Community Informed After Water Crisis. Chapelboro, February 15, 2017. Web. http://chapelboro.com/news/news-around-town/owasa-community-water-crisis [4] CBS North Carolina. Chapel Hill, Carrboro declare state of emergency over water shortage. CBS North Carolina, February 3, 2017. Web. http://wncn.com/2017/02/03/owasa-customers-asked-to-limit-water-usage-due-to-low-water-levels-in-storage-tanks/ [5] Tamy Grubb and Anna Johnson. Reports: Human, system errors, excessive pressure on burst pipe caused Orange County water emergency. The News & Observer, February 10, 2017. Web. http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/community/chapel-hill-news/article131965144.html