[Vision2020] water

[Saundra Lund]

Hi Matt,

You wrote:
"I hope everyone read tonights daily news article about the water survey. It
basically stated that the aquifers below us are not as bad as some want us
to believe. In fact, water use declined 2006."

Interesting . . . my take on the article was a little different than yours.
I am, however, very pleased that, "Moscow fell within its suggested
water-usage levels for the first time in 2006, despite seeing consistent
growth of 1 percent or more over the past several years."

For those who've not seen the article, here it is so y'all can draw your own
conclusions:

"Palouse water: A look below the surface
New research on area aquifers provides hope - and baseline for further
studies 

By Ryan Bentley, Daily News staff writer
Thursday, January 18, 2007 - Page Updated at 11:52:01 AM

The Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee has a better understanding of the
Moscow-Pullman area's water systems after performing its first official
studies in four years. 

PBAC, a local multi-entity agency charged with finding ways to stabilize the
area's water supply, recently published a report on its findings. 

PBAC Executive Director Steve Robischon presented the new data during a
Moscow Chamber of Commerce meeting Wednesday. 

The report suggested some good news concerning water use. Robischon said
Moscow fell within its suggested water-usage levels for the first time in
2006, despite seeing consistent growth of 1 percent or more over the past
several years. 

Robischon said pumping in the area is under PBAC's self-imposed levels,
which were set in 1992. Three billion gallons were drawn from the aquifers
in 2006. 

The reports and studies provide a better understanding of well levels
throughout the Palouse Basin. It also provided data on the depth of the
aquifers, the northern boundary of the Grande Ronde aquifer, the effects
pumping has on other wells, sediment layers in potential recharge areas, and
the addition of four monitoring wells. 

One study suggests Moscow and Pullman are located on the edge of the shallow
and deep aquifer systems and that the aquifers become deeper west of Moscow.


Another study shows the deep aquifer, the Grande Ronde, does not go north of
Kamiak Butte. 

In one study, PBAC researchers monitored water levels while Moscow, Pullman,
Washington State University and the University of Idaho had simultaneously
stopped pumping. 

The results showed that pumping from Pullman and WSU did not cause well
levels around Moscow to decrease. But when Moscow turned on its pumps, it
caused a decrease in a well halfway between the cities. 

A Latah County study found a potential recharge site northeast of Moscow
around Paradise Creek and the South Fork of the Palouse River had too much
clay between the sediment layer and basalt to be an aquifer recharge zone. 

Robischon said pump readings haven't been very accurate because pumping in
or near the wells still occurred when measurements were taken. 

The newest readings suggest aquifer decline may be slowing. 

To document better readings, PBAC spent more than $400,000 to drill four new
test wells at various depths to read water levels without the presence of
other active wells. 

Michael Echanove, mayor of Palouse and chairman of PBAC's Citizens Advisory
Group, said PBAC has gained momentum in the last year, mainly due to
Robischon's presence. 

"Steve Robischon is a real gem," Echanove said. "He's really been
instrumental in helping PBAC get moving toward developing a comprehensive
study of the area." 

Echanove is confident that PBAC and the Palouse Basin residents can
stabilize the aquifer systems and secure a sustained water supply for future
generations. 

Moscow Chamber of Commerce President Mike Nelson was encouraged by PBAC's
progress and the fact that Moscow finally came within its water-use
allotment. 

Nelson said "coffee-pot rumors" had questioned PBAC's progress over the last
several years. The new information shows that the organization is making
headway. 

Robischon said the different research findings came together at the same
time. Historically, most of PBAC's money has been spent on monitoring well
levels. A general lack of funding has limited the amount of research that
can be done. 

Robischon said PBAC's member municipalities may be willing to increase
funding now that it has provided some new research data. 

Robischon doesn't expect any new studies to be completed in the next year.
The monitoring of wells north of Moscow could provide more understanding of
water levels in the area. 

QUICKREAD 

WHAT HAPPENED: A representative from the Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee
shared the organization's first findings in several years with the Moscow
Chamber of Commerce. 

WHAT IT MEANS: Pumping levels suggest aquifer levels consistently decline.
New research begins to give clarity to the situation and provides a baseline
for future research. It also could give direction to area leaders in
policy-making decisions regarding water usage. 

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: PBAC will continue to monitor well levels to better
understand the area's aquifer levels and how pumping from certain wells
affects other wells. 

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE: It has been said that water will be to the 21st century
what oil was to the 20th century. The area's water supply could be affected
without a clear understanding of the situation. 

Ryan Bentley can be reached at (208) 882-5561, ext. 237, or by e-mail at
rbentley at dnews.com."

-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
On Behalf Of Matt Decker
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 7:00 PM
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: [Vision2020] water

All,

I hope everyone read tonights daily news article about the water survey. It
basically stated that the aquifers below us are not as bad as some want us
to believe. In fact, water use declined 2006.

Now I am not the expert that Mark Soloman is on this issue, but this sounds
like good news to me. I still believe we should look into a resevoir for our
area, not only for usage but for recreation also. Hopefully this will open
eyes to Moscowoniets, helping them understand that not all growth is bad.

Can't wait for the next one on this

Matt