Water--Our Precious Resource

By Edward "Buzz" Webb

There are three main challenges facing the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District: Maintaining and repairing the water delivery infrastructure; justifying the use of our water allotment by adding new customers thereby keeping water rates low; and preventing the introduction of invasive mollusks in Ruth Lake and the Mad River.

Yes, we are fortunate; but there are challenges to be met by the Humboldt Municipal Bay Water District, its seven wholesale customers and 80,000 retail consumers.

First, we have a 50 year-old infrastructure that will need significant investments to assure reliable water service for our community.

Second, our municipal water district is using less than half of the 75 million gallons per day that we are licensed to use, and in the future we may lose the right to draw our allotment unless we can show justification for its use. The two pulp mills on the Samoa peninsula were at one time the main customers, but now one of those mills is gone and the Evergreen Pulp Mill is using only half the water of its predecessors. If our customer base is enlarged, the cost of water will drop for all of us. If not, it is conceivable that the State will use the Mad River to slake the thirst of our dry southern neighbors. Wouldn't it be better for us to be in control of that decision and to reduce the cost to our local customers? I think so.

Another challenge is to prevent the introduction of invasive mollusks into Ruth Lake--as has happened in other lakes and reservoirs. These mussels and snails can kill all other life in a lake and affect the quality of our drinking water. Decisive steps must be taken to detect and prevent this invasion!

To deal with these and other water issues, your Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District is forming a broad-based community advisory group to make planning recommendations to the five-member board of directors. What we do is important. "Stay tuned" and vote on November 4th for directors who can listen and make wise, reasoned decisions.

I am up to these challenges-- and I have the time, interest and experience to serve you well.