If this bill passes here is what it could mean to McMullen Valley.
- WAM is legally able to lower the level of the aquifer by 10 feet per year.
- WAM can withdraw the aquifer to a level of 1,200 feet. Currently the water level is a bit over 500 feet on average depending on where you are located in the aquifer.
- WAM could withdraw up to 39,000 acre feet of water and sell it each year. (water usage in the Valley is currently about 59,000 acre feet per year according to ADWR.)
- This would potentially mean that all private wells in the Valley would be dry within 8 to 10 years.
- This could further mean that rather than 100 years for the life of the aquifer it would be 33.5 years.
This is a statement that Mr. Stan Barnes made during testimony in front of the House Natural Resources committee. “It flows to locals”. What does that even mean? Well, they think it means that the “locals” will benefit with an extended aquifer life and increased investments in water infrastructure. That still does not address the depletion of the aquifer. Remember their statement “Planned depletion of the aquifer”. Remember, this is a hedge fund, and they answer first to their investors, meaning the community is way down their list. If fact, you can’t even get on their website anymore without joining. What are they hiding from us? There is no guarantee that any of the approximately $350,000,000 million dollars that they stand to make from our water will “flow” to our communities. At this point, it is all talk and empty promises. We need to hold them accountable.
You should be aware and challenge WAM on their goals and push them to work with the community to achieve the sustainability of our aquifer. It’s money for them, it’s life for us!
Leave a comment