Can We Really Afford to Give Up 11 Million Gallons of Water Each Year? (Part 1)

Our City Council unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing the transfer of 35 acre feet of potable water every year (that equates to 11,404,785 gallons) to the American Water Corp. in support of the Refuge Annexation Plan. [See Footnote 1.]

The story from the Aldridges is that their #1 reason to annex this land is because of water.  In fact, they have actually stated that to them “it’s all about the water.” Well, what they are not telling you is that the only reason water is an issue at all is because of their plan to convert this land from an Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course to an RV Park. 

Water is NOT an issue if the The Refuge remains as the golf course community that was originally designed and developed. The original water allocations continue to be sufficient for the golf course (as a golf course) and the surrounding community of homes.

You may read that these 11 million gallons of water will not cost the taxpayers anything.  What about the cost of giving up those 11 million gallons of water, 11 million gallons EVERY YEAR that could have otherwise been used by the residents of Lake Havasu?

Right now, while water scarcity and conservation are primary concerns on the part of this entire region, it’s pretty hard to imagine that this redistribution of such a precious resource to an RV park is in the best interest of LHC residents. 

Based upon a City Council Staff presentation, Lake Mead levels have declined over 130 feet in the last 11 years and 2010 was one of the larger years for that lake decline. The current lake level is at 1082 elevation and the Bureau of Reclamation’s first trigger point to declare a shortage is elevation 1075.  Never before has a shortage been declared but there is a 30% chance by 2014 that this will be the situation. [See Footnote 2.] Lake Havasu City is and will be one of the first affected since the city is a priority 4 customer and priorities 1 through 3 will be serviced first.

While future water shortages are probable, the LHC residents have been conserving water for years.  The sewer project has resulted in conservation by the way the sewer fees are calculated.  This calculation method has forced homes and businesses that are connected to conserve water in an effort to minimize their sewer bill.  And with that successful conservation effort are increased water rates due to the reduction in the amount of water delivered to customers and the operational costs remaining the same.

With the pending shortages and our already high water rates why would the City resort to delivering 11 million gallons/year of our water allocation to an RV Park and jeopardize our future use and future city build out plan? The City may say it is
“only 35 acre feet of water”, but that translates into eleven million four hundred four thousand seven hundred eighty-five (11,404,785) gallons of water each and every year.

 If this water transfer is such a good idea and increased revenue is the driving force that is causing the City to make this decision, then why wouldn’t the City just sell these water rights directly to The Refuge without the legal entanglements of annexation?  Annexation does not have to occur in order to transfer these water rights. 

And consider this important factor:  Water delivered within the City limits commands one rate.  Water delivered outside City limits fetches a higher rate and translates into even GREATER revenues for the City (this will be explored further in Part 2).

Finally, what guarantee do the residents of Lake Havasu have that this transfer of water rights would not be increased if 11 Million gallons is not enough?  Can we really afford to turn over our very precious resource of water to support another RV Park for the City?

Footnotes:

[1] Regular City Council Meeting, 10/26/10

[2] City Council Work Session, 12/14/10