Editorial: Now is the time to plan for future water resource issues<br>

Williams’ history is flooded with water worries. Despite the beautiful scenery provided by the forests, we still live in a desert where water is, and always will be, scarce.

For years, our lack of reliable water sources has limited growth and development in our city. Now that Mother Nature has answered some prayers and our lakes seem to be catching winter’s runoff, Williams stands ready to finally get over its water hump.

While snowmelt flows into our reservoirs, the city continues work on another deep water well. The combination of ground and surface water should get us through future dry seasons like last summer.

In the near future, city officials must strive to find the proper balance in utilizing our combination of well and surface water. Williams needs to plan for future dry seasons like the one we just survived.

Establishing deep water wells is expensive under the best of circumstances. The Dogtown III well currently under construction will run more than $1 million — assuming most everything goes smoothly. The city has poured thousands down its pump-eating Rodeo well. Officials have remarked they may as well give up if the latest solution, a $60,000 stainless-steel pump, doesn’t work out.

Williams has only been in the well-drilling game a few years, so setbacks, such as those experienced with the Rodeo well, should be expected.

Pumping water from the ground is expensive. Each well requires around $10,000 each month for electricity alone.

On the other hand, using only reservoir water until it runs out jeopardizes the lakes’ recreation uses. Fishermen and campers bring business to Williams. Let’s make sure they have something to come to.

Our city council will need to establish sound policies to ensure the best use of our now-enhanced water resources. Using the lakes alone saves some money, but could possibly hurt a valued tourist attraction.

On the other hand, relying solely on well water is costly and wasteful. Lakes lose a lot of water to evaporation, creating a sort of use-it-or-lose-it situation for water. The key is a healthy balance between the two resources.

Williams’ water situation rests on most every resident’s mind. Every city councilman knows how important water is to Williams — not only today, but for the city’s future. Every councilman has repeatedly made it clear improving our water resources is a priority and we commend them for that.

We encourage city government to continue working to get Williams out of this water slump and back on track to becoming a flourishing, growing community.