Norman — The average water bill for Norman residents likely would double if the city participates in a water trust formed to build a second pipeline between southeast Oklahoma and the Oklahoma City metro area, an engineering consultant said Thursday evening during the city’s water forum.
Bryan Mitchell, a representative of the engineering firm hired to conduct a study for the dozen or so cities and municipalities looking to suck water out the wettest area of the state, said Norman and most other nearby cities likely will need more water than what’s currently available by the 2020s.
Any increase in water rates, however, would have to be approved by voters. At least here in Norman.
And Mitchell did his best to convey the message to the audience, that Norman needs water and is going to have to pay dearly — eventually — to get it. In addition to Norman and Oklahoma City, he said the new pipeline would supply water to Moore, Del City, Midwest City, Goldsby, Shawnee, Seminole, Chickasha and Edmond.
The overall estimated cost of the massive project ranges from $1.5 billion to $1.9 billion. The City of Norman’s share, which is based on projected water needs, would be between $360 million and $420 million.
“The days of inexpensive solutions are over,” Mitchell said. “You’re talking about a tremendous amount of money, but you’re also talking about one-third of the state’s population.
“That’s a pretty big solution … it kind of puts this in perspective.”
Mitchell said the cheapest option — which is the recommended option at this point — would be to take water from the Kiamichi River at the Moyer Crossing, pump it to Lake Atoka, treat it at Lake Stanley Draper and then on to Norman from there. He said Norman residents currently pay about $16 per month for potable water, a figure that would rise to about $33 by 2040 in order to pay for the costs associated with bringing water from southeast Oklahoma.
Mitchell said the main hurdle dipping into the Kiamichi River presents is the environmental aspect. He said the river is home to many endangered creatures, including fresh water mussels and several species of bird.
“Today’s federal laws don’t allow you to be anything but responsible,” Mitchell said, referring to Environmental Protection Agency regulations that can derail projects deemed too intrusive to wildlife.
Oklahoma City Utilities Director Marsha Slaughter, along with Mitchell, was grilled by a leery audience during the city’s fifth of eight forums on sustainable water sources. She said the trust hasn’t been formed — although she claims Oklahoma City is firmly committed to holding up its large end of the deal when the ball starts rolling — and claimed there was no deadline as far as she knew for those cities wishing to participate.
“There’s not been a decision made yet, but it’s something that’s out there for discussion,” Slaughter said.
Andrew Knittle 366-3540 aknittle@normantranscript.com
