Scribe: John B. Reeves Potable Water- Why waste, mess its sources or ignore Dry River? Convener: John Reeves/Sally Newkirk/Kemper Eagle+Trout Unltd. Location: Liberty Park Time: 12:15
Attendees: Lynn Cameron, Harvey Yoder, Michael Wong, Sally Newkirk, Dave George, John Reeves + others (Total was at least 13)
A- Potable water- why waste in City? Sustainability issues/ questions:
1-Switzer reservoir {~2.0 billion (?) gals. capacity} water is *top in quality, taste & for health (*lowest practical trace chemicals/ runoff pollution/ etc.).
2- From 1981 to 2006, City water “”sold”" go up 85% (3.01 to 5.60 MGD-avg.)
3- What’s recent water usage per person? How does industry affect this?
City’s Switzer water is quite *valuable- any waste/ conserv. ideas here?
How do droughts (*more are coming) and recent usage trends inform/ guide needed planning for City’s sustainability? Are surface rivers- North River and new ( *costly) intake on Shen. River- the best sources–or more long term?
4- Now: estimate “”equivalent”" 45,000 people in 2006 ~ 124 gals/day/avg.
or, estimate ~25% is industry/ commercial; so usage ~ 93 gals/day/avg.
5- Many areas have lower usage; what’s Pros & Cons of reductions here?
In the UK, water usage about 35-40 gals/day/avg. Prices are much higher!
In much of Europe/Asia/ Australia, high quality potable water is carefully conserved; only used where needed for health/ safety/ etc.; other grades of water are used for flushing/ lawns/ no human contact.
6- For my wife and I, water usage < 40 gals/day/avg. with lots of garden use.
7- Push for conservation @Charlottesville in drought gained >30% reduction *quickly, with no capital costs. Lessons? Usages now to previous?
8- Many opportunities for conserving- rain barrels; min. flow showers & “”navy”" showers, 2-flush toilets & composting toilets–long list of ideas. Many model cities are out there and savings could be done at no or minimal costs. With *rising sewer/ BNR treatment costs, potable water savings yield more than 2X $ savings in sewer costs and simpler to operate treatment plants.
9- Water and sewer rates should strongly *encourage conservation. After a minimal amout of water per household/ month at a cheap rate, then more usage should NOT gain any reductions in rate. Large users need to pay the freight; rates should factor in enough extra $ to fully cover needed O & M and depreciation costs so that too old infrastructure/ their failures aren’t common.
10- Are $ expansion capital and O&M costs for Shen. River intake really needed right away? Need to ensure that: a) usages are lowest practical, b) current water & sewer and sewer mains to North River WWTP infrastructure is ready & sustainable in broad sense.
B- Whole water shed above Switzer reservoir (via Friends of Shen. Mtn. initiative) and between Switzer and Riven Rock potable water intake ( via initiatives reviewed by Trout Unlimited and being developed by City) must have a key goal of the best water quality practical.
1- Dry River section below Switzer is City property- so shouldn’t it be fully in City Comprehensive Plan plus fully protected with City Regs. and Ordinances from all degradation (as recent ATV and motorized damages).
2- Water shed below Switzer should be assessed for practical, family-style loop trails that might in many sections be usable by mountain bikers (per work so far and continuing by IMBA reps./local mtn. biking coalitition people.
3- Water shed below Switzer might be usable for several educational projects and venues, such as the field trainings for all 6th and 7th graders of City; plus all City school students should know and see our very valuable drinking water source and why its protection and management is so crucial for our future.”
