Southwest Chatham water district offers 90% discount for early signup

Posted Tuesday, April 1, 2008

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Pittsboro, NC - Property owners with facilities located on roads that are in the first phase of Chatham County's Southwest Water District need to apply for county water service soon to take advantage of the 90% discount on the tap fee and to ensure that neighbors and businesses who need county water can get it.

"Residents in the Southwest District can get a great deal on the tap fee if they submit their application for service in advance, but it is not necessary to pay the fee immediately. We will let you know when it's time to pay the fee, which will be shortly before the waterlines are coming to the area," said Roy Lowder, director of Chatham County's Utilities Department.

"The tap fee automatically jumps from $500 to $4,500 once the waterlines have been installed beyond your address," Lowder said.

He said that "$500 is a sound investment given the many benefits of access to public water. You not only are ensuring your own access to quality water, you also are increasing the value of your property, helping the Southwest District be more attractive to existing and new businesses, and also helping your neighbors and local farms who need the water. Even small businesses like restaurants will prefer an area with access to public water."

Lowder said that those with property on the following roads are slated for county waterline construction as part of the phase one work in the Southwest District, so property owners on these roads should apply for water service as soon as possible:

* Barker Road
* Beal Road
* Bennett/Siler City Road
* Bernard Purvis Road
* Bonlee/Bennett Road
* Bruce Phillips Road
* Calvin Phillips Road
* Charlie Garner Road
* Clarence Phillips Road
* Devils Tramping Ground
* Falls Creek Church Road
* Goldston/Carbonton Road
* Henry Oldham Road
* Hoyt Scott Road
* J Cook Road
* Jerry Frye Road
* NC Highway 42
* Reno Sharps Store Road
* Robert Chapel Road
* Sandy Branch Church Road
* Siler City/Glendon Road

Lowder said that he is concerned that many residents don't know about the availability of county water in their community or may have heard incorrect information about what it means to have county water.

"One major issue we are facing is that many people in this area are in urgent need of county water because of well problems or because they need a greater volume of water for their businesses or farming operations. However, those who need it may never get the water if many of their neighbors don't apply for county water too. We need at least 12 customers signed up for each mile of waterline for this to be financially viable," Lowder said.

As to misconceptions, Lowder said that some residents have reported hearing that signing up for county water means that their wells will be condemned and they won't be able to use their well water. "This is certainly not true. In fact, people can continue to use their well water for farming, landscaping, washing cars or any purpose other than indoor household use."

He noted that the county also has an ample water supply, which has been a common misconception. "Even at the worst of last year's drought, Jordan Lake was in better shape than just about any public water reservoir in the state. It is a well-designed reservoir with a large watershed area. Our customers also did a great job of conserving water when they were asked to do so."

The county is in the process of connecting to other water sources in surrounding communities to further enhance water capacity.

Lowder said that it is important for potential customers to know that the county's water meets very stringent federal quality standards. Water for the Southwest District will come from the City of Sanford and Chatham County's Water Treatment Plant, which both meet quality standards on a consistent basis.

"We have made several successful adjustments to our water treatment process in the past year to assure that water from our treatment plant on Jordan Lake meets federal standards," Lowder said.

Relying on well water alone has worked well for many residents for a long time, but "this becomes a real gamble the longer you have the well. You just don't know when you might have a well run dry, a pump to fail or contamination issues. Drilling a new well certainly will cost much more than $500, especially if you have to drill very deep or run into other problems. Some pumps can also be fairly pricey," Lowder said.

To request a Southwest District Water Service Application or to ask questions, call 919-542-8270. Those with internet access also can apply online.