What's New? To sign up for our electronic news list: Please send an e-mail to webmaster@owasa.org or call Public Affairs at 919-537-4267 and let us know the topic(s) you are interested in. More details...   Account adjustments when water leaks are repaired: On January 28th, the Board of Directors changed OWASA's policy on account adjustments when customers fix certain non-irrigation water leaks. Under the revised policy, the amount we charge for excess water use (due to a leak) will be adjusted down to our lowest retail water rate ($2.36 per 1,000 gallons). More details...   An overview of OWASA and its services: A summary of our services and policies; how to start service; our monthly bills and rates; how to contact us; drinking water treatment, testing and quality; water conservation benefits, methods and standards; plumbing system/ maintenance information; etc. This information is intended to be useful for new and existing customers. More details...   Protecting water pipes from freezing: * Let one or more cold water faucets drip slowly to keep water moving and reduce the potential for freezing. A slow drip from a faucet is better than major water loss and property damage from frozen (burst) pipes. * If you have water pipes in an unheated area such as a crawlspace, insulating the pipes is prudent. Also includes information on draining water pipes if a house or other building will be left unheated. More details...   Our commitments to excellence in customer service: A formal statement of our customer service commitments. Adopted by the OWASA Board of Directors on October 22nd, 2009. More details...     Why our rates are increasing: Information on the reasons for the rate increase that went into effect in October, 2009; our cost reduction program; fixed costs in our budget; and current projections for future rate increases.   Understanding our residential water and sewer bill: An electronic brochure about our bills for individually-metered residences. Includes information on our fixed monthly service charges based on meter size, our water and sewer use (volume) charges, rounding down our meter readings to the nearest thousand gallons for billing purposes, etc.   Summary of water conservation standards: A one-page chart summarizing both the current year-round water conservation standards, and the additional requirements that would apply in water shortages   Recycling wastewater biosolids: A one-page summary of our biosolids recycling program: what biosolids are, amount of biosolids we recycle annually, our biosolids treatment processes, the quality of our biosolids, where we recycle biosolids, etc. OWASA recognizes that some uncertainty still exists about the effects of certain biosolids constituents. We support further study to determine these impacts. However, OWASA also firmly believes that recycling biosolids through a properly managed program in strict compliance with State and Federal permit requirements is a safe, cost effective, and environmentally responsible way of managing this inevitable by-product of the community.   Taste of Hope Customer Assistance Program endorsed: The Carrboro Board of Aldermen, Chapel Hill Town Council and Orange County Commissioners have endorsed our Taste of Hope Customer Assistance Program. Being a donor is simple and painless, and costs less than $12 per year!   [ News Release Archives ]