UPDATED: Redmond is known for it's green forest and stream buffers, trails and multi-faceted parks. Of course it takes water and lots of it to keep our fair city green. Jon Spangler, a resident of Redmond and 22 year city employee who manages the Department of Resources is expert on all things water in Redmond. During his presentation to Council on "Water Resources Strategic Plan" some noteworthy facts and stories surfaced, as follows:
Redmond's wells suck out 800 million gallons from the ground per year to supply 35-40% of Redmond's drinking water. It rains 11 billion gallons of water/year in Redmond. (The Mayor couldn't believe it but Jon proved his number on 42 inches/year of rain on 16 square miles.) So even with rapid development a lot of rain should enter into the ground. Jon said keeping the base flows in streams is important so they don't dry up in the summer. The city's stormwater system is impressive with 220 miles of stormwater pipes, 100 major ponds and over 50 miles of small streams. All of the treated stormwater eventually drains into ponds or Bear, Evans and Kelsey Creek and the Sammamish River.
Our well water keeps the price of water low though the infrastructure costs are relatively high. Cascade Water Alliance would supply Redmond with water piped in from the White River but demand for this water is falling and it's likely the Tolt River and our wells will provide for us adequately for quite some time.
Jon said, some of our ground water is contaminated with hazardous waste from surface infiltration but Mr. Spangler said, "though it's at very low levels and it's not a risk to anybody's health but it's something we want to keep an eye on so it doesn't become a problem." The city is working with select industries and commercial interests to mitigate the contamination.
Councilmember Hank Meyers asked about the ALL WOOD Recycling fire and the tons of water dumped on the fire which is an infiltration site for our groundwater. The water ran into the creek and into the groundwater. Spangler estimated 1900 fish were killed in Evans Creek from the fire foam that was used. Spangler said, "I don't believe there's an imminent threat to the groundwater but we plan to do some indicator sampling over the next 6 months." Aquifer monitoring wells are not in the immediate infiltration site of the fire.
Reported By Bob Yoder
Redmond's wells suck out 800 million gallons from the ground per year to supply 35-40% of Redmond's drinking water. It rains 11 billion gallons of water/year in Redmond. (The Mayor couldn't believe it but Jon proved his number on 42 inches/year of rain on 16 square miles.) So even with rapid development a lot of rain should enter into the ground. Jon said keeping the base flows in streams is important so they don't dry up in the summer. The city's stormwater system is impressive with 220 miles of stormwater pipes, 100 major ponds and over 50 miles of small streams. All of the treated stormwater eventually drains into ponds or Bear, Evans and Kelsey Creek and the Sammamish River.
Our well water keeps the price of water low though the infrastructure costs are relatively high. Cascade Water Alliance would supply Redmond with water piped in from the White River but demand for this water is falling and it's likely the Tolt River and our wells will provide for us adequately for quite some time.
Jon said, some of our ground water is contaminated with hazardous waste from surface infiltration but Mr. Spangler said, "though it's at very low levels and it's not a risk to anybody's health but it's something we want to keep an eye on so it doesn't become a problem." The city is working with select industries and commercial interests to mitigate the contamination.
Councilmember Hank Meyers asked about the ALL WOOD Recycling fire and the tons of water dumped on the fire which is an infiltration site for our groundwater. The water ran into the creek and into the groundwater. Spangler estimated 1900 fish were killed in Evans Creek from the fire foam that was used. Spangler said, "I don't believe there's an imminent threat to the groundwater but we plan to do some indicator sampling over the next 6 months." Aquifer monitoring wells are not in the immediate infiltration site of the fire.
Reported By Bob Yoder
Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for this important and informative update on Redmond's ground water and rain water resources.
John