Clarifying
Water Restriction Questions
Water
restrictions have already begun in Laramie and now City Council
and staff are discussing the possibility of a water surcharge.
These issues have generated a lot of questions about the reasons
behind them, how they are enacted, and so on.
Let's first discuss if the drought is over and all these restrictions
are needed. The answer is it depends. The drought has lessened
for the near future in terms of soil moisture levels, though this
could change given a hot, dry spell. The drought is certainly
not over in terms of aquifer levels, reservoir levels, and long-term
stream flow. Water levels have not risen in the Spur wellfield
since the beginning of the year, even though the other wellfields
are flowing artesian. The Big Laramie River is expected to have
87 percent of average flows this summer, based on the May 7 th
Natural Resources Conservation Service prediction.
The
Boomerang article on May 4th explained the situation well. Though
snowpack is significantly better than last year and is generally
better than average, depletion of water reserves over the last
three years of historic drought will take even more moisture to
become replenished. Soil moisture levels benefited the most
from last winter's storms, but aquifers and long-term river flows
are slower to adjust.
Much
depends on what kind of weather we get this spring and summer.
A few good storms would help recharge the aquifer and aid river
flows, but more immediately they would raise soil moisture levels,
hopefully obviating the need to water lawns. Lawn watering uses
a large percentage of our city water, so any reductions in this
area would help with our water situation. A hot, dry spring
and summer would perpetuate the drought.
The
U. S. Department of Agriculture says our area is currently in
a moderate drought. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
estimates there is approximately a 23 percent chance to ameliorate
the current drought in the next six months. Amelioration indicates
replenishment of short-term hydrological conditions only, such
as soil moisture and small stream flow.
Stage 2 water restrictions have been in effect in Laramie since
April 23 rd . The main restrictions in this stage are no outdoor
watering between 9:00 am and 7:00 pm , and no washing of hard
surfaces such as walkways and driveways.
There
are a few exemptions to the current Stage 2 water restrictions.
The Fire Department is allowed to wash their hoses outside as
this is needed to properly maintain them. The Fire Department
may also run a fire hydrant to test for adequate line pressures
and flows for fire fighting efforts. Large amounts of water
can be seen flowing down the street into the gutters during this
operation, but it is necessary for public safety.
The Parks Department is allowed to wash hard surfaces at public
restrooms and pavilions, again for public health and safety reasons.
Without the ability to adequately clean these facilities due
to spilled food, beverages and other materials, they would be
unsafe as well as unsanitary for citizen use. Both the Parks
Department and the Fire Department have been asked to use the
minimum amount of water necessary to complete these jobs.
Exemptions will also be allowed for private citizens having dog
runs or kennels with concrete or other hard surfacing. These
areas may be hosed off to clean up pet waste that may cause health
and sanitation concerns.
The
surcharge ordinance being considered by City Council is to prepare
if the drought worsens. The City Council would have the power
to impose and lift a temporary surcharge if revenues fall too
low due to water conservation efforts.
The surcharge in question is not a flat fee, but a small increase
on the price of the volume of water consumed during periods of
heaviest use. It's a simple matter of paying for the water you
use. The more you use, the more you pay, and vice versa. Laramie's
water would still be among the cheapest in Wyoming. The increase
would accomplish two things. One, it would maintain revenues
for repayment of debt and two, it would encourage conservation.
This seeming contradiction of purposes is typical of water management
for city use. There is a finite amount of water available, so
we encourage wise-use. Every drop of water is used in some way,
especially here in the West. At the same time conservation is
encouraged, the city relies on revenues from the sale of water
to fund projects.
There
are reasons why the city is being cautious when it comes to water
use and drought. Water is not a widget that is merely an inconvenience
when it runs out, or can be manufactured when more trona is mined.
When water runs out, people are hurt and inconvenienced, and
ultimately life suffers. This scenario happened throughout Colorado
and Wyoming last year because of tepid drought management actions.
Laramie
is in a semi-arid climate. We all need to get used to it, because
that's not going to change in anyone's lifetime. Water is a
precious substance and its use and development should be handled
conservatively.
