Water plan takes 'booms and busts' into account

By Andrew Knittle

Right now, Oklahoma is in the midst of a protracted "time of plenty" as far as water is concerned.

Has been since the early 1980s.

But according to Kyle Arthur, a planner with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, that can -- and will -- change.

"There are booms and busts and we must be prepared," Arthur said. "Those rough times will come."

In fact, a short dry spell in the mid-2000s was enough to convince Oklahoma legislators to spend about $5 million on a new water plan for the state, which will be the third, once it's completed in late 2011.

Arthur said the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan is an update of previous plans, which were completed in 1980 and 1995, and has been in the works for about four years. He said the plan is focused on identifying a reliable supply for the state 50 years into the future and beyond.

Along with Bryan Mitchell, an engineer who has been working the OWRB to develop the new plan, Arthur answered audience questions regarding the state's water during the City of Norman's second of eight public forums on water sustainability.

Reusing water

Arthur said officials have two groups looking at marginal-quality water, including wastewater and runoff water, and aquifer recharge, where water is pumped underground during times of ample supply.

The OWRB encourages the reuse of water, although Arthur believes the pricey technology for treating wastewater -- not to mention the state and federal regulations that will govern its use -- represent the "biggest hurdles" to its widespread use in the foreseeable future.

Mitchell said wastewater isn't included in the OCWP and that he doesn't think it will make it into the latest installation.

Arthur also said reusing water isn't "a cure-all" and costs a lot of money, adding that it also infringes on water rights of other stakeholders.

Demand

projections

Arthur said the state's water demand projections are based on "sophisticated statistical models, some assumptions" and work groups from around the state who provided input to ensure estimates were as accurate as possible.

Since work on the new plan began, the OCWP's developers have hosted 42 local meetings, held 11 regional meetings and conducted 30 planning workshops. In May, a town hall meeting will be held in Norman at the National Center for Employee Development, 2701 E. Imhoff Road.

Arthur said policy recommendation will only come after a round of feedback meetings, most likely in 2011.

"It's a guess, there are assumptions involved, but I feel pretty comfortable," Arthur said of the plan.

Tribes, water and the law

Responding to a second question regarding tribes and water rights, Arthur said the state of Oklahoma doesn't recognize tribal claims on water supplies. He said rights to groundwater are based on property law, but that streams and most other surface waters are publicly owned and regulated by state and federal governments.

Arthur also said that tribes have been "very engaged" in the new water plan's development and that the OWRB has retained a tribal water law expert from the University of Oklahoma to work on the project.

The City of Norman's next water sustainability forum, scheduled Feb. 4, will focus on water supply options.

Those interested in attending the forum are asked to call the Utilities Department at 366-5443 to reserve a place and receive an information packet for the meeting.

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