JCSA is pursuing new water sources every day.

By Bruce Goodson, Chairman, James City Service Authority

This has been a difficult summer for millions of Americans who depend on their local governments for household water. Dry, hot weather has stressed municipal water systems across the country and prompted understandable complaints that their locality is not meeting present, not to mention, future needs or providing enough information so that residents can make intelligent usage decisions. Let me assure you that the James City Service Authority has been, and continues to be, pro-active in both matters.

First, let me address conservation.

A year ago, JCSA entered into a creative partnership with local landscape professionals. The partnership called Let's Be Water Smart provides valuable advice to homeowners on the types of grasses and vegetation they should plant and on the amount of water really necessary to assure a healthy, green lawn. The tips are available on a web site (www.watersmart.org) and by calling the JCSA offices at 253-6859. The Water Smart tips have also been included in frequent ads that have appeared in this newspaper. When peak demand spiked last month and we issued a call to reduce consumption to an average of 5.5 million gallons a day (mgd) by July 25, our customers responded admirably. So far we have been able to avoid mandatory restrictions, an imposition many other communities in our state have had to impose.

Beyond being water smart though, what are we doing to be water ready to meet demand?

Be assured, it's plenty.

We have added two new wells to our groundwater withdrawal system and increased groundwater production capacity by 3.5 mgd.

We have built a 1mgd water storage tank.

We have negotiated an agreement to purchase 1.8 mgd from Newport News Waterworks.

We are currently building a 5 mgd treatment facility.

As longtime county residents recall, James City County had a permit issued by the Corps of Engineers to build a reservoir at Ware Creek in the Stonehouse District. The reservoir project was later vetoed by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, a decision that was upheld by the Federal Court system and appealed all the way to the Supreme Court. After the Ware
Creek effort failed, we joined with other Peninsula jurisdictions in effort to obtain a permit and build a reservoir in King William County. We are currently waiting on regulatory approval in this latest pursuit of additional water supply to meet future needs.

Why doesn't the county simply stop issuing new housing construction permits?

Good question, but the fact is, we have enough water to supply basic needs, as well as the growth we are experiencing. Our problem is peak demand, similar to a road being full in rush hour but relatively empty at all other times. The fact is there is more than double the amount of new irrigation systems coming on line than new home construction. Also, state and federal law would require a crisis far greater than we are currently experiencing before we could enforce a moratorium on new building permits.

Why are golf courses allowed to irrigate when every other day residents can't?

The fact is all golf courses in James City County use surface water sources, like storm water retention ponds, rather than treated drinking water for irrigation.

Why aren't we pulling water from the James, York and Chickahominy Rivers?

While technology exists to extract and treat ocean water for drinking purposes, the James and York Rivers have constantly changing salinity levels, and the technology does not exist today to treat this type of water. The Chickahominy is used as a major source of Newport News water and withdrawals are currently at maximum levels.

Why don't we aqueduct water from Richmond?

We would need a reservoir to accept that supply, and because of the Ware Creek decision, we don't have one. If we could get a reservoir we would not have to go to above Richmond for the water to fill it.

Why does it seem residents are carrying much of the burden of conservation rather than businesses?

The fact is 65% of JCSA's customer base is residential and they utilize most of our supply. We see increased water demand spikes of close to 100% in the summer while commercial and industrial demands are relatively flat. This indicates that our demand issue is the result outdoor water use. We're not saying don't irrigate your lawn. What we are asking is that it be done prudently. Many thanks to our customers for responding to our recent request to voluntarily reduce water demand to below 5.5 mgd. You did great!

We have proven that as a community, we can work together to reduce water demand and make the necessary investments to increase supply. Will we ever have enough water on the hottest summer day to maintain our lawns suitable for magazine layouts while providing necessary pressures to extinguish fires should they occur? Maybe not, water will always be a precious resource. But with the continued cooperation of our customers, landscape community and dedicated and innovative county staff, we can maintain healthy yards and a reliable water supply for the humans living on them.