Dietrich studies new water conservation policy

Dietrich studies new water conservation policy

By John Plestina
Times-News correspondent

DIETRICH - As an incentive to make people think about water conservation, the Dietrich City Council wants to make it more expensive to dump city water on grass.

A new water rate structure is in the offing, but the city is not ready to hold a required public hearing yet.

The need to put a damper on drinking water going on lawns became acute when the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality found deficiencies in the well at Dietrich's K-12 school.

That part of the equation appears resolved. Council-man Daryl Ballard told the council Monday night that the school district is now using canal water to irrigate a majority of the football field.

With a need to disconnect the school well from the system, the city capped the line Saturday and installed two check valves to prevent back flow from the school.

"If you don't use water to irrigate, (the flat rate for water) is going to cost you $60," said Mayor Don Heiken.

The school district has been paying a flat rate of $92.50 monthly for water.

"Our well was running 18 to 19 hours a day to keep up," he said.

To help solve a need for a new well, the council heard a proposal from Keller Associates, an engineering firm that is vying for a contract to design a new well and secure financing for the city.

"What to do to find additional water for the city," said Engineer Charles Brockway, consulting with Keller Associates. "Rule No.1 in terms of water supply, you never have enough."

The city has two existing water rights. The oldest dates to 1910 and a newer right was issued in 1992. Irrigation is permitted with those water rights. Irrigation is not permitted with new water rights.

While there is a moratorium on new water rights, municipalities are exempt.

Brockway told the council that they would probably find water between 300 and 400 feet with 500 feet being a recommended depth.

"So the water is way down there, and you've got to go get it," he said.

Brockway recommended a 12-inch diameter hole with casing all the way down.

via magicvalley.com