January 18, 2005

Published in Wake Forest, NC

            All these new people – figure 2.6 people per dwelling unit – plus all the old-timers gulped down a record 3.79 million gallons of water one day last summer just before water conservation became mandatory.

            The town has a maximum amount of water it can draw each day from the Raleigh supply now that the city owns the water and sewer systems. Until April 1, 2010, the most Raleigh will supply the town is 4.9 million gallons per day.

            The difference is 1.1 mgd – and during last week’s board retreat Planning Director Chip Russell said that translates into 3,200 dwelling units that can be built in the next four years or 800 a year.

            “We need to focus on getting that allocation down to 800 a year,” Russell said. “If we do that, the water will last through 2010 and we’ll have some allocation for nonresidential.”

            That allocation is the number of building permits each subdivision is allowed in any one year. Right now the number is 50, but several developers have asked for and received additional permits for their subdivisions; the Ammons reservoir tract, Austin Creek, Bowling Green, Heritage North, Shearon Farms, Stonegate and the Dameron property.

            The allocations for all the subdivisions that are planned or underway add up to 1,562 new dwelling units that could be built in 2006.

            The spreadsheet Russell handed out showed the allocation numbers dropping off in subsequent years: 1,512 in 2007, 1,082 in 2008, 905 in 2009 and 723 in 2010.

            But the allocation numbers are for lots in approved or planned subdivisions, meaning if they are not built in one year they will be built in future years.

            Russell suggested letting the comprehensive planning committee – two commissioners and two planning board members – work on the details of how to slow the number of building permits.

            Along with more homes, Town Manager Mark Williams said, “The average usage is going up.” There are larger homes and many of them have irrigation systems. The increase in usage is significant, he said.

            Mayor Vivian Jones is working with officials in Raleigh on a measure to make water conservation measures permanent as is done in Cary. Lower consumption would “give us more breathing room,” Williams said.

            Wake Forest has encouraged a second meter for irrigation systems, but Raleigh made that a requirement in September. The town has heard number of complaints about that.

            The town charges $2,400 for the second meter, but the home or business owners are not charged a sewer fee for the drinking water they spray on their grass.

            Raleigh charges less for the second meter. There will be different fees for the same things in Wake Forest and Raleigh until the rates and income from fees pay off the $19 million debt the town took on when Raleigh took ownership.

            Deputy Town Manager Roe O’Donnell said he expects fewer people will want to install irrigation systems because of the fee.

            Also, he said, “A lot of commercial properties sink wells” for irrigation.

            “We encourage it, even for residential,” Russell said.

            The town could also require new subdivision lawns be planted in Bermuda grass, which goes dormant in the winter, or faucet heads that reduce the amount of water used in showers and sinks.

            The CPC will also get to look at ways to reduce water use.

            After April 1 of 2010, Raleigh will increase the town’s daily water allocation by 4 percent. In 2020 the allocation will increase by 3 percent, and after 2030 Wake Forest will have an increase that mirrors the city’s growth rate.