Commentary: Solve two water problems with one solution?

In the same issue, in the Agriculture Section, it was noted that water delivery estimates will provide for only about one-third of what agriculture requires for the growing season.

While on the face of things, it appears that these two issues may be separate in many ways, they could be joined if we want to manage our water supply in the Klamath Basin. First the state is proposing specific Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) limits for pollutants in a point discharge. Agriculture needs water to grow crops.

Why can't the water that is treated, cleaned, and disinfected be delivered for agriculture for their use? This could eliminate the need for TDML Limits since there would be no point discharge to the river.

While I don't have specific data on how much water the treatment plant processes each day, if it was in the order of 3 million gallons per day, that could produce 9.2 acre-feet of water per day or approximately 3,350 acre-feet per year and eliminate a point source discharge to the Klamath River.

Another possibility to consider is the wastewater discharge for the South Suburban District. If the water could not be stored, then it could be used to recharge the groundwater system in the Basin.

One other issue not addressed is the current export of water from the Basin to the Rogue River Basin and Sacramento Basin. This issue needs to be re-evaluated in light of the current drought conditions.

I would further note there are issues that would have to be resolved such as storage of the water during non-irrigation periods and other uses that could apply water trades with other dischargers to the river and other possible users.

To spend $40 million to just discard water is bordering on the absurd.

The bottom line for all of us in the Basin: We must step up and take ownership of water management to insure we are supporting our community and properly managing its resources.

The author

Don Mausshardt, Klamath Falls, spent about 24 years in Washington, D. C., working in public and private sectors, including serving as deputy director of regional operations for the Environmental Protection Agency.

He later served in a position in which he was responsible for implementation of major laws EPA administered, including the Clean Air Act and Clean Water program. Many years ago, he worked on the waters of the Klamath Basin and led a study on the Lost River system.