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Why should we be concerned?

Drinking Water on the Palouse. Why should we be concerned?. The stuff beneath our feet with our drinking water in it. If we could slice through the earth. Water level in WSU test well 1935 - 2007. Pullman and WSU’s water. All comes from the Grande Ronde aquifer The aquifer is limited

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Why should we be concerned?

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  1. Drinking Water on the Palouse Why should we be concerned?

  2. The stuff beneath our feet with our drinking water in it

  3. If we could slice through the earth

  4. Water level in WSU test well 1935 - 2007

  5. Pullman and WSU’s water • All comes from the Grande Ronde aquifer • The aquifer is limited • The water is very old, 10,000 to 20,000 years, and recharge is apparently very slow • It is uncontaminated by humans and has a superb taste – there is no better drinking water in the world

  6. Because of it’s limited supply and superb quality, our drinking water is the single most important sustainability issue on the Palouse

  7. WSU 2002 Water Plan(the plan currently in effect)list of anticipated projects

  8. The Municipal Water Law of 2003

  9. The Municipal Water Law of 2003 • Allows municipalities (e.g. WSU) to be exempt from the use-it-or-lose-it test.

  10. The Municipal Water Law of 2003 • Allows municipalities (e.g. WSU) to be exempt from the use-it-or-lose-it test. • And allows them to consolidate all their water rights without needing to demonstrate or even plan for beneficial use

  11. The Municipal Water Law of 2003 • Allows municipalities (e.g. WSU) to be exempt from the use-it-or-lose-it test. • And allows them to consolidate all their water rights without needing to demonstrate or even plan for beneficial use • The law also has numerous provisions regarding conservation

  12. Palouse Group of the Sierra Cluband the Palouse Water Conservation Network (www.pwcn.org)

  13. With assistance from • Rachael Osborn, well known water law attorney • Center for Environmental Law & policy (www.celp.org) • Columbia Institute for Water Policy (www. columbia-institute.org)

  14. WSU Executive Policy #24, approved 11/15/2005. WSU is committed to providing “an exemplary teaching, research, and outreach environment that fosters the conservation of natural resources…”. And, “WSU is committed to improve its performance in sustainability in all areas of operations to meet the needs of current generations without impairing the needs of future generations…and [c]reate an environment of trust and respect in all we do with a concerted effort to understand, enact and promote sustainability principles.”

  15. No notice in WSU Announcements

  16. No notice in WSU Announcements • No notice in the local papers or any other attempt to communicate with the public

  17. No notice in WSU Announcements • No notice in the local papers or any other attempt to communicate with the public • Meeting held when Pullman population is at it’s annual minimum

  18. No notice in WSU Announcements • No notice in the local papers or any other attempt to communicate with the public • Meeting held when Pullman population is at it’s annual minimum • Meeting was held as far from central campus as possible

  19. Deficiencies of the WSU conservation Plan • Unsatifactory notice of a public meeting • No mention of importance of saving our groundwater, or the declining water levels • Golf course is not being charged consumptive rates for water and power • Central Campus objectives are lackluster

  20. Wastewater Reclamation • Wastewater is being used beneficially now

  21. Wastewater Reclamation • Wastewater is being used beneficially now • Huge taxpayer expense (~$20 million) to provide water to a private entrepreneurial enterprise (More expensive than the entire cost of the golf course and clubhouse combined).

  22. Wastewater Reclamation • Wastewater is being used beneficially now • Huge taxpayer expense (~$20 million) to provide water to a private entrepreneurial enterprise (More expensive than the entire cost of the golf course and clubhouse combined). • Does not guarantee less groundwater withdrawal.

  23. Wastewater Reclamation • Wastewater is being used beneficially now • Huge taxpayer expense (~$20 million) to provide water to a private entrepreneurial enterprise (More expensive than the entire cost of the golf course and clubhouse combined). • Does not guarantee less groundwater withdrawal. • Let’s get serious about conservation first!

  24. There is no better drinking water world wide than from the Grande Ronde aquifer system beneath our fee. It has a superb taste and is uncontaminated by humans. But the supply is finite and water levels are dropping. We should treasure it, respect it, and respect the future generations who should have a right to drink this superb water.

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