5.5. ERMUSR 01-09-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Elk River Municipal Utilities requests that water use appropriation permit for these two wells not be issued to Elk River School District #728 for the following reasons: 1) Elk River City ordnance and Elk River Municipal Utilities policies requires all building to connect to the municipal water system if available. See attached ordinance. The water system is available at both locations. This ordinance exists because the revenue from water sales pays for the infrastructure costs to furnish domestic water, fire protection, and water for irrigation. Allowing water customers to construct new wells for the irrigation use will substantially change the water revenue stream, there-by jeopardizing the ability to pay outstanding water revenue bonds. Other customers in Elk River have inquired about constructing irrigation wells. Allowing this is not. consistent to local financial planning. 2) The Elk River Municipal Utilities has adopted, and the DNR has approved, our Well Head Protection Plan. The existing Twin Lakes Elementary School irrigation well, built to non municipal standards is in the DWSMA of the future municipal well. The well under construction at Lincoln School is adjacent to well # 3 DWSMA and is in the 10 to 20 year travel area. This well could also compromise the aquifer storage and recovery project for municipal well #2. This is not consistent with the Well Head Protection Plan. 3) The Elk River Municipal Utilities has adopted, and the DNR has approved, our Conservation and Emergency Plan. Part III of this plan addresses water conservation measures. In the past, the school district has not followed the sprinkling restrictions outlined in this plan. A conservation strategy as suggested by the DNR is inclining block rates. The Elk River Municipal Utilities has implemented this rate strategy. The school district responded it is more economical to construct an irrigation well than pay the Elk River Municipal Utilities rate structure. These rate sheets are enclosed. By allowing the school district to utilize these irrigation wells, you are allowing them to circumvent the conservation strategies of our water plan. This is not consistent with the water plan. 4) Ground water, particularly from the Mt Simon Hinkley aquifer, is a valuable natural resource. It is the only viable aquifer in the Elk River area. The public perception that ground water is "free" and "inexhaustible"can not be promoted, and must be highly discouraged. The current public policy of renewable and sustainable use of natural resources does not support the utilization of these two irrigation wells. We ask for your support in this matter. If you have any additional questions, do not hesitate to call. Best gard y Adams, P.E. eneral Manager yan cc: file; Bruce Olson, MDH; Jim Japs, DNR; Ron Bratlie, ISD 728