Thirsty for water knowledge?
From our recreation services to the Youth Water Academy and free tours of our facilities, OWASA wants to help you learn about our most vital resource – and have fun while doing so.
OWASA’s Service Area
OWASA provides water, wastewater, and reclaimed water services to over 86,000 people in the Carrboro-Chapel Hill area, as well as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Our Vision
To be our community’s trusted partner for clean water and environmental protection
Our Mission
Our dedicated Team delivers valuable water and sewer services that are essential to our community’s health, environment, and economy through the stewardship of infrastructure and natural resources.
Our Values
OWASA’s core values drive our mission, and the entire OWASA team strives to fulfill them every day.
Integrity
We can be counted on to use sound judgment and follow-through on our promises.
Reliability
We are committed to consistently providing high-quality products and services.
Diversity and Inclusion
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity.
Teamwork and Partnership
We work together to achieve shared goals.
Safety
We put the safety of our employees and community above all else.
Stewardship
We make wise and efficient use of the financial and natural resources with which we are entrusted.
Equity
We work to ensure fair access to and delivery of our essential services.
Innovation
We take a creative approach and adapt to changing circumstances.
History of OWASA
Before OWASA was established, three individual systems provided water and sewer services for southern Orange County. Each one was separately operated, independently owned and exclusively served the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Town of Carrboro and the Town of Chapel Hill. Cooperation between the whole Carrboro-Chapel Hill community and the State of North Carolina led to OWASA’s creation.
1971
The 1970s brought rapid growth to the community. In November 1971, Governor Robert W. Scott appointed a Utilities Study Commission to assess the feasibility of retaining, selling or otherwise disposing of the water and sewer systems operated by the University. After nearly five years of analysis, the commission devised a best course of action: the transformation of the University’s water and sewer utility system and related properties into a public entity, serving both the school and the community.
1976
In 1976, the governing bodies of the Town of Carrboro, the Town of Chapel Hill and Orange County determined to organize a water and sewer authority as the appropriate structure to acquire and operate the utilities. And so, OWASA was officially born when the University, the Town of Chapel Hill and the Town of Carrboro executed the Agreements of Sale and Purchase of the three separate water and sewer systems that year.
1977
We took our first steps to bettering the community’s water infrastructure when we commenced operations on February 16, 1977.
Today
Decades after its birth, OWASA still provides high-quality drinking water, wastewater and reclaimed water service to the entire Carrboro-Chapel Hill community.
Our Commitment to Our Customers
- To serve you fairly, helpfully, efficiently and positively.
- To communicate with you honestly, respectfully, courteously and directly.
- To devote our full attention to you in listening, understanding and responding.
- To provide you accurate and timely information.
- To deliver a complete response to any question or request.
- To resolve any request or question to which we cannot immediately reply.
- To describe your options when choices are available to you.
- To connect you with the OWASA employee who can best fulfill your needs.
- To invite and value your feedback on how we can improve our services.
- To explain how and to whom you can appeal if you disagree with a decision by OWASA staff.
- To seek continuous improvement and efficiency in our services, facilities and operations.
- To remember always that our purpose is to serve the community. We are here to serve you!
Our Awards
We are committed to delivering high-quality drinking water to our customers, and the water industry consistently recognizes our commitment to that end.
2005
Director’s Award
2011
Excellence in Water Treatment Award
2014
National Award for Sustainable Water-Utility Management
2016
Five-Year Excellence in Water Treatment Award
2016
Water Resources Utility of the Future Today
