By CARA LORELLO
Staff Reporter
Medical Lake's City Council voted unanimously to extend its moratorium ordinance regarding acceptance of land use applications and permits another six months on June 5, following recommendations by the city attorney and report findings released this year by E&H Engineering indicating the city's public water system won't be sufficient to meet its 6-20-year projected water needs.
Feelings were mixed over the decision to extend the hold on construction, as indicated by individuals present at the meeting, however views stood firm that the time now granted through the extension of the moratorium must be used to develop a long-term plan to resolve pressing water issues.
“I'm concerned what this could do to put a noose around the neck of our growth,” Councilwoman Brenda Redell said.
“While I do agree we need to look more into conservation…I support it grudgingly. But we need to come up with a plan to remedy the situation as quickly as possible.”
City attorney Cindy McMullen said the immediate issues facing the city at the moment include the requirement to maintain quality water services to the properties already existing in the community in addition to fixing its future water shortages.
Jeff Amistoso of A&K Development inquired about having enough water available for the undeveloped plats located in Fox Hollow prior to the moratorium being adopted. Although Council confirmed those plats would be allocated full water services, Amistoso indicated he felt concern over the effect a moratorium extension would have on the city's annual revenue.
“Some how, the city's got to get this whole thing solved,” he said. “The city revenue is going to dry up in terms of [returns from] the construction.”
Precipitating factors of growth in the city population and current available water sources, according to E&H's February 2007 water system plan, showed the city's two existing wells (Craig and Lehm roads) and two state interties are producing a current excess of 146 gallons per minute, which roughly equates to the amount of water currently used by a single family residence in Medical Lake.
A 20-year forecast shows a 495 gpm deficiency, which, translated into the availability of current water sources, means there remains a capacity for 173 additional structures that could be built before the city is overtaxing its water system.
Also, the Craig Road well water table continues to drop despite the pump being lowered last year to achieve a higher gpm rate. Though the report stated it can't predicted how fast the table will drop, it seems the wells current capacity can be maintained at least three or four more years before levels become affected.
“The report states “It is apparent that the city needs to develop additional source capacity and or/thru conservation use of reclaimed water…or reduce water from the city's system in the immediate future or next six-year planning period (Report 3-8),” McMullen said in a staff report to the council, adding that it would be best to have a conservation plan “started or in use immediately.”
E&H's suggestions for dealign with the city's water issues do not present an immediate resolution to the pressing problem, McMullen said.
City Administrator Doug Ross said it's a possibility for the city to revisit its joint water service arrangements with Washington State Department of Social and Health Services and wastewater treatment plant's reclaim water capacity to see if there's an outlet for some conservation. Water rights and supply are two different things, and it's currently the latter where Medical Lake and other local communities are struggling with at this time, he said.
“This isn't just a city of Medical Lake issue by any means—it's a West Plains issue at large.”
Cara Lorello can be reached at clorello@cheneyfreepress.com
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