Tuesday's unanimous vote by the Norman City Council rejecting a proposed water sale to nearby Goldsby comes just as plans are being made for a critical water needs supply project at Lake Thunderbird.
The lake, source of much of Norman, Midwest City and Del City's drinking water, will be studied. It may have to be augmented with water from Oklahoma City through its raw water pipeline that passes by the lake's east side. The study comes after the 2006 drought that dropped the lake to levels not seen in years.
The council's action Tuesday came despite staff assurances that Goldsby's use wouldn't add to Norman's "peaking" concerns. City officials said Goldsby was a "perfect customer" that wouldn't threaten Norman's supply on those hot days when demand is highest. Citizens speaking at the meeting worried aloud Tuesday about running out of tap water in Norman.
Our concerns are not so short-term. Norman was visionary in participating in construction of Lake Thunderbird nearly 50 years ago to develop its water supply. Goldsby may be a small fish needing water now but down the road, the community could grow exponentially like Blanchard and other such suburbs.
The Sept. 1 meeting of the Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District, operators of the lake, will provide public input on the "scoping" project. The council should be an active participant there. There may come a time when Norman wants to be a supplier of water to other communities. But there are too many unknowns on this project.
It also comes as some cities are looking at the need for yet another reservoir. Norman may or may not become a player in that endeavor.
