09-11-01 Special Minutes
YELM CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11,2001,6:00 P.M.
YELM CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Mayor Rivas called the Work Session to review proposed Comprehensive Water Plan
policy and goals to order at 6:00 p.m.
Council Present: Don Miller, John Thompson, Bob Isom, Glen Cunningham and JW
Foster.
Tom Skillings provided background information concerning how the situation with wells 3
and 3A identified the City's need for additional water sources and treatment and led to
the determination that the Water Comprehensive Plan needed updating.
Brian Matthews, explained that the plan being developed meets WAC and Department
of Health requirements, and identifies priorities including water rights for a 20 year period
(a Growth Management Act requirement). The plan address water needs, uses, capital
improvements, conservation planning, and develops a six-year budget to accomplish
those goals. Current water rates have also been reviewed to insure that they are
adequate to pay for the identified needs.
There was some discussion concerning water rights, water shed planning and the need
for the state to allow water rights credits for reuse volume. Background information was
provided on the Association of Washington Cities resolution concerning municipal water
utilities.
A review of water records showed that 214 million gallons of water was pumped in 2000.
Of that amount, 550/0 was for residential use and 300/0 commercial. Leaving 150lc>
unaccounted for. Possible areas of loss were discussed including inaccurate meters,
hydrant testing/fire department drills, system leaks, water theft and line flushing.
A priority goal identified is reducing water loss by 10%. A 10lc> decrease equals 22 ERUs.
This reduction could be accomplished by aggressively monitoring monthly water use and
implementing maintenance and operation programs.
Another priority goal is a voluntary conservation program. The conservation program
would begin with a public awareness program. As part of the program an assortment of
conservation items such as reduced flow shower heads, replacement toilet tank flappers,
and faucet aerators will be sent to each residence. Other possible conservation tactics
include a toilet exchange program and restricted lawn watering schedules. It is also
recommended that the water rate schedule be revised from a flat to a tiered rate with the
cost increasing with volume used to encourage conservation.
Conservation efforts would also require adjustments to the City's Development
Guidelines to encourage the use of native trees and plants in landscaping or varieties
that do not have high water needs.
Currently, the reuse facility returns approximately 100,000 gallons of water to the aquifer
per day during the summer. The planning process identified two large volume users that
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can use reclaimed water. Yelm High School uses large quantities of water for irrigation
purposes; Central Reddi Mix uses a high volume in the manufacturing process.
Changing both to reuse water could free capacity for over 100 new hookups.
Capital improvement goals recommended include replacing the well #2 pump and pump
house, changing to an automated meter reading and posting systems ($240,000 with a
3-5 cost recovery), an additional 500,000 gallon storage tank ($1.3 million), construction
of a reclaimed water line, and Baker Hill water tank restoration.
The proposed policy would
Reduce per capita water use
Reduce unaccounted for water loss
Maximize reclaimed water use
Seek new water rights
Consensus supported pursuing the proposed water system policy that was presented.
The policy direction also acknowledged that if the implemented goals were not
successful it may become necessary to direct the location of new service connections
and/or restrict new water hookups, with the exception of LID participants, until additional
water be omes available.
:50 p.m.
Attest
~
Ag,
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