The Water Committee developed the recommendation which the Town Council unanimously adopted on January 20, 2005.

The Water Committee’s recommendation was based on the Water System Hydraulic Analysis and Master Plan, completed by engineers at WK Dickson, which revealed after taking into account water system connections which have been approved but not yet made, and water allocations set aside for 576 in-town vacant lots that the Town of Boone has a remaining capacity of 150,000 to 180,000 gallons per day until the Town is able to expand its water distribution capacity. The engineers completing the study estimated that it would take 6 years to get a new water source into distribution.

Until a new source for raw water is developed, the Town must closely monitor and prioritize the distribution of water. The Town Council elected to be prudent and use the more conservative number of 150,000 gallons per day to be allocated over a six year period which is 25,000 gallons per day since the Town could face a state imposed moratorium on additional water allocations once the Town reaches 90% or 2.7 million gallons per day of the permitted raw water capacity. The Town Council built in a provision that it may adjust the yearly allocation based on actual usage, which the Water Committee will be reviewing at its next meeting.

The Town Council chose the 25,000 gallons per day to insure the availability of water until a new source was available. We want to avoid a state imposed moratorium and we do not want to run out of water before a new source of water is available.