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April 1, 2016
Vol. 38 No. 15
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Jamestown, North Carolina
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PTRWA expansion helps Jamestown By CAROL BROOKS Staff Writer When the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority water treatment facility on the Randleman Reservoir opened in July 2010, it produced 12 million gallons of water per day (mgd). The facility had the capacity to expand to 48 mgd. Now it wants to expand and increase that output to 14.7 mgd. This is good (Photo/Submitted) news for Jamestown. “Jamestown consumes, on average, 466,948 galStudents and staff at Union Hill Elementary School prove they are focused lons of water per day on energy conservation by receiving the Guilford County Schools Energy (gpd),” said Town Manager Chuck Smith. He added WISE Gold Award for three consecutive years. See story and more pictures, that 400,000 gallons comes page A8. from PTRWA at 80¢ per unit. (A unit is 748 gallons.) The remainder of the water is purchased from High Point at a rate of $1.88 per unit. With the $1.2 million PTRWA expansion, Jamestown stands to receive all the water the town currently requires – at the 80¢ per unit rate – at a significant savings to the town. “We wouldn’t be buying from High Point any more “That will filter out reports, initial discussion at their rate, which is more By CAROL BROOKS things you can’t see,” said about building a regional Staff Writer Charles Jones, chairman of water system began in the the Board of Directors of 1930s, but nothing hapOn Oct. 4, 2010, James- PTRWA – and a Jamestown pened until 1991 when the U.S. Army Corps of Entown became a little wetter. resident – at the time. Prior to Oct. 4, over 90 gineers got approval for a It was that day that the town began receiving water from percent of Jamestown’s lake and dam. It took anoththe new Randleman Reser- water came from the City er 10 years for construction of High Point, according to on the lake and the dam to voir. Two weeks earlier, the Jamestown Town Manager begin. Work was completed in 2003. The water treatN.C. Department of Envi- Chuck Smith. “Years ago, Jamestown ment facility opened in July ronment and Natural Resources had given approval decided not to lay pipes but 2010. It took several months of to the Piedmont Triad Re- rather use the ones from gional Water Authority to High Point,” Smith said. testing before the NCDENR start provide drinking water “We don’t have the pipe would sign off on the projto Jamestown, High Point, maintenance and didn’t ect, stating, “The operaGreensboro, Archdale, have to lay pipe all the way tional data provided indiRandleman and Randolph to the Randleman Reser- cated that the plant meets voir.” and well exceeds state and County. In 2010 Smith said that U.S. EOA maximum conWhile all treatment plants run water through Jamestown pays PTRWA taminant levels for all daily sand filters, the new $60- for the water, but also pays operational parameters.” Carol Brooks can be plus million filtration plant Greensboro and High Point added an additional step of 10 percent of the water rate reached at 336-841-4933 or jamestownnews@north running the water through for use of the pipes. According to newspaper state.net. micro-filters.
Focusing on sustainability
Extra water for Jamestown a long time coming
Following a meaningful Good Friday worship service at my daughter’s church in Raleigh, I went with the family to meet friends at Goodberries to enjoy some of the business’s signature custard. As we were socializing in the outdoor seating area,
we noticed three firefighters placing their orders at the window. When their beepers went off, the men immediately dashed around the corner to their truck and drove off into the night to face whatever emergency required their attention. We were still talking about 30 minutes later when the firefighters finally were able to return and get the custard for which they had already paid. Although that emergency did not last long, others do and it reminded me of what firefighters, police officers and paramedics around the country give up to keep citizens safe. In addition to facing personal danger, their lives are constantly
of water that comes out of the plant with the new allocation. “That’s about as good a deal as you can find anywhere.” Six partners comprise the PTRWA – Jamestown, High Point, Greensboro, Archdale, Randleman and Randolph County. That doesn’t mean the water allotment is divided equally six ways. Greensboro gets 59 percent of the allocation, High Point 21 percent, Randolph County 12.5, Jamestown 2.5, Archdale 2.5 and Randleman 2.1. The question of expansion was sparked by the City of Archdale, which requested PTRWA look into it. “Of the six owning partners, it appeared that three-to-four partners were interested in the expansion – and interested in receiving that additional allocation,” Smith said, referring to a March 1 owners meeting he and Blanchard attended. “The partners most interested in the expansion appear to be Jamestown, Greensboro and Archdale.” The partners have been See PTRWA, page A6
Speed limits are fact, not suggestions
Note from Norma
Dropping all when duty calls
than twice the PTRWA rate,” Smith said. At the current 12 mgd allocation from PTRWA, Jamestown has a 2.2 percent allocation (400,000 gpd). Jamestown has to pay for the entire allotment whether it is used or not. If the plant expands to 14.7 mgd, then Jamestown’s allocation could increase an additional 100,000 gpd, according to Smith. That figure could rise depending on the number of partners who approve the expansion. The town would only be required to pay for and use 25,000 gpd. Any gallons used over that 25,000 gpd would be paid for on an as-needed basis, up to 500,000 gpd total. This is helpful for months when the town’s water demand is not as high. “This is the cheapest water capacity we will ever purchase,” said Public Service Director Paul Blanchard. “When they first mentioned this, I said this is something we really need to consider,” Smith said. “It’s the cheapest plant expansion – and you don’t have to pay for every drop
disrupted for the sake of others. Whether it is enjoying custard with friends, eating a meal or trying to relax for a moment, these public servants sacrifice much for duty. When you see these symbols of courage and service in the community, take time to thank them for all they do. Who knows but that your small acknowledgement may make their day. Seeing three so willing to serve at a moment’s notice certainly helped make mine. Norma B. Dennis can be reached at 336-841-4933 or jamestownnews@north state.net.
The N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) has launched its annual speed enforcement blitz from March 24-April 3 under the tagline: “Obey the Sign or Pay the Fine.” The intensified enforcement effort against speeding drivers underscores the severity of the problem across our state’s roads. Officers will step up enforcement of posted speed limits throughout North Carolina and stop and ticket anyone caught speeding. “Speeding translates to death on our roadways,” said Don Nail, director of the GHSP. “It greatly reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around another vehicle, a hazardous object or an unexpected curve. “We want to help our state and local law enforcement get out their message
‘Obey the Sign or Pay the Fine’ to reduce fatalities.” In 2015, speeding was a contributing factor in 23 percent of all fatal crashes in North Carolina and 322 lives were lost in such crashes. During last year’s “Obey the Sign or Pay the Fine” campaign there were 23 fatalities, including five speed-related deaths. “North Carolina law enforcement remains committed to keeping our highway and roads safe,” said Public Safety Secretary Frank L. Perry. “The N.C. State Highway Patrol does not intend to change its tactics when it comes to enforcing the speed limit. Our troopers still have reasonable discretion when it comes to enforcing our traffic laws. Earlier reports that we would begin ticketing drivers going one or two miles
over the speed limit were based on a misinterpretation of the initiative. Troopers and local law enforcement officers will continue to enforce the speed limit.” Fully 86 percent of all speeding-related traffic fatalities occur on local roads – where the posted speed limits were 55 miles per hour or under. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a crash on a road with a speed limit of 65 mph or greater is more than twice as likely to result in a fatality than a crash on a road with a speed limit of 45 or 50 mph and nearly five times as likely as a crash on a road with a speed limit of 40 mph or below. About 14 percent of the country’s speedingrelated fatalities occur on interstate highways each year.