[Vision2020] Moscow and Water
Barbara Richardson
edc@moscow.com
Fri, 27 Jun 2003 12:38:44 -0700
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Please remember a moratorium on new housing will only serve to increase the
already inflated housing prices in Moscow. We as a community cut water
consumption in half last year by restricting or usage. Encouraging the use
of drought resistant plants and shrubs; discouraging the use of lawn
sprinkler systems; and encouraging government staff to implement
conservation techniques can help reduce water usage. Also, a billing system
that "penalizes" users that exceed average or reduce amounts can help
conserve water.
A moratorium on new housing construction would only serve to limit the
number of people that can afford to own or rent housing in Moscow. Housing
is considered affordable if it costs less than 30% of your gross income. On
average, 61% of Moscow households pay more than 30% for housing. (United
States Department of Housing and Urban Development). Placing a moratorium
on housing development in Moscow does very little to help with overall
conservation - Latah County is growing faster than Moscow and
Pullman/Whitman County also share the aquifer.
Barbara Richardson Crouch
-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-admin@moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-admin@moscow.com]On
Behalf Of Bill London
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2003 4:58 PM
To: gary riedner
Cc: Vision2020
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Moscow and Water
I recently received a questionaire from the City of Moscow Water Department,
regarding water use and water conservation.
While I thought the questions and options about what our family was willing
to do to save water were relevant, I was struck by the total lack of
questions about the most obvious (to me) reason why water mining on the
Palouse is both continuing and escalating: new home construction.
Even if all of us stabilize our present water use, all those new homes
around Moscow are increasing our total use. And new homes would use more
than older homes, in landscaping anyway, because the new trees, lawns and
shrubs take much more water than established plantings.
So, here is my question to City Supervisor Gary Riedner: If the city is
considering how to cut water usage in Moscow, is the city investigating the
impact of new housing in Moscow, the option of a limitation on such housing,
or even a housing moratorium?
BL
John Danahy wrote:
On Monday evening, the Moscow City Council decided that the way to solve
our water crisis was to have a voluntary ban on outdoor watering between 9am
and 6pm. Today, three days later, the MoscowSchool District was watering
the grass at RussellSchool at 10am, using a leaky hose and standard air
delivered sprinklers. At 11 am I noticed someone watering plants at the
1912 Building by hand using a hose. The action of the council was clearly
designed to be feel good propaganda and not a meaningful response.
I examined my water bill payments for all of 2002. My payments did not
significantly change from month to month except for July and August.
However, I do not know if the change was due to increased use or the
surcharge the city puts on summer use. I suspect some increase in usage but
mostly the increase is the result of the surcharge..
I realize that the city claim of doubled pumping of water is probably
true. But, when the city sends out a survey that infers private homeowners
are solely responsible for excessive water use, and suggests these home
owners should voluntarily cut back, it is making an unsupported assumption.
I do not believe that homeowners are responsible for the doubling of water
use in the summer. Certainly, some use much more, but enough to double the
pumping?? Hardly!
What is the city’s metered water use month by month?? How about the
county?? School district?? Other civic and governmental organizations??
How much does the city pay for water?? How about our malls? The fountain
in downtown and at the entrance to UI?
The council should take this situation seriously. Last years ban was
largely ignored by the individual home owner. The council claim that the
water department was “broke”, followed by drastic increases in fees,
followed by the senior administrative staff getting pay increases on par
with Spokane and Twin Falls, speaks to a city council with a severe lack of
credibility.
Let’s start with a complete examination of all water use in Moscow and
what could be done differently. Let’s examine recycling water where we can,
being efficient with water use, not just at home but in all aspects of the
community. Let’s see the city step up to its responsibilities. Yes, the
aquifer is a gun pointed at the head of this community, but it is the city
council’s finger on the trigger!
At the rate it is falling, and considering water as a limiting factor, can
this community continue to support a 13,000 student university, much less
the projected increase to 15,000?
John
jdanahy@turbonet.com
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<DIV><SPAN class=3D036083019-27062003><FONT color=3D#0000ff>Please =
remember a=20
moratorium on new housing will only serve to increase the already =
inflated=20
housing prices in Moscow. We as a community cut water consumption =
in half=20
last year by restricting or usage. Encouraging the use =
of =20
drought resistant plants and shrubs; discouraging the use of lawn =
sprinkler=20
systems; and encouraging government staff to implement=20
conservation techniques can help reduce water usage. Also, a =
billing=20
system that "penalizes" users that exceed average or reduce amounts can =
help=20
conserve water.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D036083019-27062003><FONT=20
color=3D#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D036083019-27062003><FONT color=3D#0000ff>A moratorium =
on new=20
housing construction would only serve to limit the number of people that =
can=20
afford to own or rent housing in Moscow. Housing is considered =
affordable=20
if it costs less than 30% of your gross income. On =
average, 61% of=20
Moscow households pay more than 30% for housing. (United States =
Department of=20
Housing and Urban Development). Placing a moratorium on housing=20
development in Moscow does very little to help with overall conservation =
- Latah=20
County is growing faster than Moscow and Pullman/Whitman County also =
share the=20
aquifer. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D036083019-27062003><FONT=20
color=3D#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D036083019-27062003><FONT color=3D#0000ff>Barbara=20
Richardson Crouch</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D036083019-27062003><FONT=20
color=3D#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV class=3DOutlookMessageHeader dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><FONT =
face=3DTahoma=20
size=3D2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> =
vision2020-admin@moscow.com=20
[mailto:vision2020-admin@moscow.com]<B>On Behalf Of </B>Bill=20
London<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, June 26, 2003 4:58 PM<BR><B>To:</B> =
gary=20
riedner<BR><B>Cc:</B> Vision2020<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [Vision2020] =
Moscow and=20
Water<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>I recently received a questionaire from the =
City of=20
Moscow Water Department, regarding water use and water conservation. =
<BR>While I=20
thought the questions and options about what our family was willing to =
do to=20
save water were relevant, I was struck by the total lack of questions =
about the=20
most obvious (to me) reason why water mining on the Palouse is both =
continuing=20
and escalating: new home construction. <BR>Even if all of us stabilize =
our=20
present water use, all those new homes around Moscow are increasing our =
total=20
use. And new homes would use more than older homes, in landscaping =
anyway,=20
because the new trees, lawns and shrubs take much more water than =
established=20
plantings. <BR>So, here is my question to City Supervisor Gary =
Riedner: If=20
the city is considering how to cut water usage in Moscow, is the city=20
investigating the impact of new housing in Moscow, the option of a =
limitation on=20
such housing, or even a housing moratorium? <BR>BL=20
<P>John Danahy wrote:=20
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<DIV class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><FONT=20
face=3DArial><FONT size=3D+0>On Monday evening, the Moscow City =
Council decided=20
that the way to solve our water crisis was to have a voluntary ban on =
outdoor=20
watering between </SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></FONT>9am</SPAN><SPAN =
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">=20
and </SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">6pm</SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">. Today, three days later,=20
the </SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Moscow</SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial">School=20
District</SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> was watering the =
grass=20
at </SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Russell</SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">School</SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial">=20
at </SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">10am</SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, using a leaky hose and standard air =
delivered=20
sprinklers. At </SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">11 =
am</SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> I noticed someone =
watering plants=20
at the 1912 Building by hand using a hose. The action of the =
council was=20
clearly designed to be feel good propaganda and not a meaningful=20
response.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"></SPAN>
<P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><FONT=20
face=3DArial><FONT size=3D+0>I examined my water bill payments for all =
of=20
2002. My payments did not significantly change from month to =
month=20
except for July and August. However, I do not know if the change =
was due=20
to increased use or the surcharge the city puts on summer use. I =
suspect=20
some increase in usage but mostly the increase is the result of the=20
surcharge..</FONT></FONT></SPAN>=20
<P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"></SPAN>
<P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><FONT=20
face=3DArial><FONT size=3D+0>I realize that the city claim of doubled =
pumping of=20
water is probably true. But, when the city sends out a survey =
that=20
infers private homeowners are solely responsible for excessive water =
use, and=20
suggests these home owners should voluntarily cut back, it is making =
an=20
unsupported assumption. I do not believe that homeowners are =
responsible=20
for the doubling of water use in the summer. Certainly, some use =
much=20
more, but enough to double the pumping?? =
Hardly!</FONT></FONT></SPAN>=20
<P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"></SPAN>
<P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><FONT=20
face=3DArial><FONT size=3D+0>What is the city’s metered water =
use month by=20
month?? How about the county?? School district?? =
Other civic=20
and governmental organizations?? How much does the city pay for=20
water?? How about our malls? The fountain in downtown and =
at the=20
entrance to UI?</FONT></FONT></SPAN>=20
<P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"></SPAN>
<P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><FONT=20
face=3DArial><FONT size=3D+0>The council should take this situation=20
seriously. Last years ban was largely ignored by the individual =
home=20
owner. The council claim that the water department was =
“broke”, followed=20
by drastic increases in fees, followed by the senior administrative =
staff=20
getting pay increases on par with </SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></FONT>Spokane</SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> and </SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Twin Falls</SPAN><SPAN =
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">,=20
speaks to a city council with a severe lack of =
credibility.</FONT></SPAN>=20
<P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"></SPAN>
<P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><FONT=20
face=3DArial><FONT size=3D+0>Let’s start with a complete =
examination of all water=20
use in </SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"></FONT>Moscow</SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> and what could be done =
differently. Let’s=20
examine recycling water where we can, being efficient with water use, =
not just=20
at home but in all aspects of the community. Let’s see the =
city step up=20
to its responsibilities. Yes, the aquifer is a gun pointed at =
the head=20
of this community, but it is the city council’s finger on the=20
trigger!</FONT></SPAN>=20
<P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"></SPAN>
<P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><FONT=20
face=3DArial><FONT size=3D+0>At the rate it is falling, and =
considering water as a=20
limiting factor, can this community continue to support a 13,000 =
student=20
university, much less the projected increase to =
15,000?</FONT></FONT></SPAN>=20
<P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"></SPAN>
<P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><FONT=20
face=3DArial><FONT size=3D+0>John</FONT></FONT></SPAN>=20
<P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><FONT=20
face=3DArial><FONT size=3D+0><A=20
=
href=3D"mailto:jdanahy@turbonet.com">jdanahy@turbonet.com</A></FONT></FON=
T></SPAN>=20
<P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"></SPAN>
<P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"></SPAN>
<P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"></SPAN></P></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>
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