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Have you ever wondered where the water spouting from your faucet
actually comes from and where is goes once it disappears down the
drain? What would you do if you turned on your faucet and nothing came
out? Could you get through the day without your morning shower or your
morning coffee? Is it okay to hose down the driveway with drinking
water? How should we plan for future demands on our water supply?
Should communities limit growth based on availability of natural
resources? What IS a reasonable use of the ancient, pristine, natural
water that lies deep within the Grande Ronde aquifer below the
Palouse?
If any of these questions intrigue you, you will want to download the
Water Forum Fact Sheet. This
informative event was worth the attention of all residents of the
Palouse (especially those in Moscow and Pullman) as it discussed how
water enters and leaves our groundwater basin and how to protect this
precious resource.
Presentations for the first evening surrounded the science of our
aquifer system. Speakers included Larry Kirkland, Executive Secretary
of the Palouse Basin Aquifer
Committee (PBAC). Mr. Kirkland presented facts about our local
aquifer system as well as alternatives for future supplemental water
supplies. Moscow's three-dimensional aquifer model were on display and
operating.
The second evening included what residents and business owners can do
to stretch the use of this ancient resource. Speakers included Tim
Eaton, owner of Prairie Bloom Nursery, who discussed intelligent
landscapes that work in our climate with little water; Dianne French,
Chairperson of Moscow's Commission on Health/Environment and co-founder
of the Palouse Water Conservation
Network, who discussed indoor water conservation ideas for home and
business; and Mark Cook, Moscow Public Works Director, who discussed
water pricing and issues relating to municipal water supplies. After
these presentations, there was a panel discussion with questions from
the audience.
Each informative evening included delicious refreshments provided by
the Moscow Food Coop,
educational literature for participants, displays and the model
aquifer. Moscow also celebrated our new status as a Groundwater
Guardian Community.
As water levels within our main aquifer, the Grande Ronde, continue to
decline and population levels continue to increase, our community must
decide what it will do to stabilize water levels and ensure a lasting
water supply for the region. Economic growth will require us to stretch
our natural resources and make the best use of them. As Ben Franklin
said in 1733, "When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water."
Download the Water Forum Fact
Sheet.
Read the City of Moscow Naylor Farm Press Release
from 11/19/2002
The Groundwater Forum was co-sponsored by the
Learn more about outside water
conservation. |
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