bporterfield@pvdemocrat.com —
One consultant says the ongoing drought experienced here and throughout much of the country clearly shows how easy it is for us to take water for granted.
That was part of the message from Duane Smith during a recent presentation to members of the Pauls Valley Kiwanis Club.
Smith could be considered an expert on water planning since he spent more than 30 years on the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and now serves as a water consultant for the Chickasaw and Choctaw tribes.
“Do you think the drought is over,” Smith said in the form of a general question. “Our seasonal outlook is for this drought to persist.
“I just want to make you think about water and how valuable it is to us and how should we plan for water,” he said.
“We do take water for granted.”
One reason for that is water itself is generally provided to the public cheaply and safely.
“Basically water is free,” he said. “What we’re paying for is the infrastructure.”
Yet another is a long wet period in Oklahoma before the current drought, now entering its third year, arrived forcing a lot of municipalities and other groups to scramble for answers.
“One reason we take water for granted is we’ve been in the wettest period in history before this drought,” Smith said, adding that period lasted about 30 years.
That’s the reason, he said, water planning is so important for dry times like now.
When a drought period does strike it impacts economic development and business. That’s when it’s mandatory that water usage is done efficiently.
“We don’t need to put money into health care, education, things like that if we don’t have water,” Smith said. “We have to keep the water infrastructure up if we’re going to have growth.
“Having other possible sources of water is proper planning. That allows for economic development in the future.”
Although Smith said not all the water planning has been on target for Pauls Valley, some has been a real plus, such as the construction of Longmire Lake, the increase in local water rates in recent years and today’s mandatory outdoor water restrictions and the effort to draw in water from the nearby Washita River.
Smith’s work today is now with the two area tribes in the development of a long-term plan for the 20-plus counties in the region, which includes Garvin County.
He says the tribes view water as something that must be sustainable for the future.
At the same time any planning must take into account and balance out the consumption needed now by citizens and municipalities.
“Water for future generations is what we mean by sustainable.”
Local News
Water the real key to the future
- Local News
-
-
Helping meet needs in Moore
-
Home invasion case gets new pleas
A long prison sentence and a couple of guilty pleas came Monday in the case of a couple of violent Pauls Valley area home invasions dating back to 2010.
-
Storm danger threatens much of state
It’s been a busy few days for emergency officials of all kinds with severe storms, some packing powerful tornadoes, threatening to sweep through various parts of Oklahoma.
-
Pauls Valley Wall Cloud
-
Young Grads with Honors
-
Special athletes get special support
It was special to say the least for a group of Garvin County law enforcement officers to see for themselves what an experience the state Special Olympics meet can be.
-
Derby to roll in all day fun
The tracks and vehicles may be much smaller than a national day at the races, but the fanfare and scale of 2013’s Hot Wheels Double Dog Dare Derby is expecting no less enthusiasm as engines set to fire when it returns to Pauls Valley on Saturday, May 25.
-
Still no answers in creek death
There are still plenty of questions with answers not yet released to the public in the case of a dead body found this week in a Pauls Valley creek bed.
-
New Councilman Swear In
-
Authority close to hospital loan
The next crucial step toward keeping Pauls Valley General Hospital around for the long haul is going to require a bit more waiting, but those involved in securing a lifeline are confident stability is just around the corner.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
