[Vision2020] Alternative Water Sources/ was Potential Opportunity from Perceived Necessity

[Kenneth Marcy]

On Tuesday 10 March 2009 11:09:53 Garrett Clevenger wrote:
> Ken writes:
>
> "Should such a project to build, for example, a 30 or 36 inch diameter
> pipeline for a distance of at least as many miles, with associated pumping
> stations and distribution lines, be shown to be feasible from an
> engineering vantagepoint, then consideration of the legal rights, financing
> options, and the public and commercial uses of such a resource could
> proceed with more specificity and determination."
>
>
> I agree that since water is crucial to everybody, we need to ensure we
> don't run out and that we have enough to go around reasonably. My initial
> reaction to the pipeline idea makes me think about Pheonix and other cities
> that pipe out of the Colorado river.

Phoenix, AZ, does pump water from the Colorado River because that city has 
grown to the point that it has no other alternative. Phoenix proper has over 
1.5 million residents, and the metropolitan Phoenix area has about 4.0 
million residents, 160 times the size of Moscow, ID.

> I think if you arificially introduce water to an area, you are probably
> going to grow more than is sustainable since water no longer becomes a
> limiting resource.

Even if water did become relatively less scarce as a result of a pipeline, how 
it might be used best would still be a factor in comparative advantage 
studies of the various potential levels of economic productivity of alternate 
uses of the available resource mixes.

> Perhaps the Snake River has enough water to meet all 
> expected needs. Perhaps it is high enough quality to be potable, and not
> too high in minerals that if it were used in irrigation it would leave too
> much salt in the soil. Perhaps it would be an economically feasible and
> wise project.

Water quality is always a concern, and could lead to consideration of various 
alternatives, including pre-treatment before being allowed for residential 
uses, though some alternatives might find minimally treated water acceptable.

> Are people using Snake River water for residential uses now? Lewiston uses
> Clearwater River water. The Lewiston Orchards irrigation district uses
> mostly groundwater, and they are right near the snake and clearwater
> rivers. Their ability to use surface water has been curtailed over the
> years. Some farms are irrigated with snake river water.
>
> I think people are probably as possesive of that water as any, and it
> probably would be a fight to gain access to any of it.

Ongoing discussions about the value and acceptability of various water uses 
throughout the serving and affected watersheds are appropriate and expected. 
That public policy may be affected and changed as a result of such discussion 
should not be unexpected.

> I think if a project like that is seriously proposed, they need to make
> sure to study other irrigation projects around the country, because things
> always tend to cost more than initially planned, whether economically or
> with unintended environmental consequences (like using up the colorado
> river completely. Most times it doesn't reach the Pacific Ocean anymore,
> and the water that's at the end of the river is so brackish as to be
> toxic.)

I agree that good economic and financial planning are needed, and that 
environmental considerations need to be addressed. Regardless of the Snake 
River's water quality, I don't think it is in danger of being completely 
consumed in the immediately plannable future.

> I like the idea of building resevoirs to store precipatation that falls in
> the area. It seems like a less expensive and more locally derived solution
> to water problems we may face. It's possible that the water would be more
> prone to contamination (by air pollution and less time to filter out
> contaminates) Perhaps if it were planned well, it would go a long way in
> securing water.

Reservoirs may well be part of a regional water master plan, just as one or 
more, or perhaps a series of, water towers might form part of a buffering 
control system for a pipeline project. 

> I agree that there are other options than relying solely on groundwater,
> though that obviously is the easiest and cheapest option (unless it runs
> out!) It seems like it would be wise planning to study the feasibility of
> those other options.

I agree.


Ken