Mayor Working with Midland, San Angelo for Collaborative Future Water Supply
By: Kristin Anderson
Updated: August 20, 2012
It's no surprise that the lake water levels are still getting lower. But that's why the mayor is working with other West Texas cities for a possible future water resource.
"Is there some synergy there, is there some cooperativeness? So that when we come to the table and say, 'Why don't we consider doing this project?'" said Mayor Norm Archibald. "Then we find that it would be cost-sharing as well as being beneficial for all of us."
The three mayors have met together with engineers to discuss the possibilities of securing a supply of water for all three cities.
"We've been thinking way out of the box," he said. "We've looked at resources that involve the Brazos River and the Colorado River and Ivy. And of course we bring to the table all of our work that we've done for 8 to 9 years that we've done on Cedar Ridge Reservoir."
"It'll probably give Abilene more places to go. You know and give us more water and more opportunity to get out and do something with our kids," said local Haley Durbin.
Haley says that while the possible two hundred million dollar project would be a lot for tax payers, but the need for water makes it essential.
"I see ups and downs for it," she said. "You know they could do, not better stuff, but they could do more for abilene. But at the same time, it's kind of a necessity right now, you know, in a way with the water going down."
The mayor says the Tri-Cities Coalition is looking for a project that would provide a long-range supply of 50 to 100 years. Which locals say would be good for summer's like this one.
"Well if the lakes did ever dry up over here, you know, we'd have a back up source, of course. Back up water to drink. And basically live off of. And we wouldn't have to worry. We wouldn't have to worry at all about the water leaving here," said Haley.
"Is there some synergy there, is there some cooperativeness? So that when we come to the table and say, 'Why don't we consider doing this project?'" said Mayor Norm Archibald. "Then we find that it would be cost-sharing as well as being beneficial for all of us."
The three mayors have met together with engineers to discuss the possibilities of securing a supply of water for all three cities.
"We've been thinking way out of the box," he said. "We've looked at resources that involve the Brazos River and the Colorado River and Ivy. And of course we bring to the table all of our work that we've done for 8 to 9 years that we've done on Cedar Ridge Reservoir."
"It'll probably give Abilene more places to go. You know and give us more water and more opportunity to get out and do something with our kids," said local Haley Durbin.
Haley says that while the possible two hundred million dollar project would be a lot for tax payers, but the need for water makes it essential.
"I see ups and downs for it," she said. "You know they could do, not better stuff, but they could do more for abilene. But at the same time, it's kind of a necessity right now, you know, in a way with the water going down."
The mayor says the Tri-Cities Coalition is looking for a project that would provide a long-range supply of 50 to 100 years. Which locals say would be good for summer's like this one.
"Well if the lakes did ever dry up over here, you know, we'd have a back up source, of course. Back up water to drink. And basically live off of. And we wouldn't have to worry. We wouldn't have to worry at all about the water leaving here," said Haley.
