Wells could save money

With four people contending for one Highline Water District commission position, this is a good time to seek resolution to our chronic water shortage.

When was the last time you saw kids running through sprinklers?

The color of grass is supposed to be green. Many of our lawns are brown and a fire hazard. Green lawns not only look good, they increase the value of homes as well as providing new jobs in the lawn care and garden industries.

Even more importantly green lawns clean the air, which reduces health and cancer problems caused by vehicle and jet emissions.

The high summer water rates were first required as an emergency conservation measure by the Seattle Public Utilities water contract. Seattle is faced with a growing population, growing government regulations and a limited water supply.

Water districts in this area could bring in their own supplemental water resources including more water wells. Wells are used by Water District 54, Highline Water District and Federal Way to produce a major source of cheap clean abundant water.

At present, most of this unused water in the Highline aquifers seeps into Puget Sound to be destroyed by saltwater.

Another excellent source of water could come from the use of porous storm drain lines and injection wells by the county storm water districts. Presently, this storm water is wasted.

Injection wells allow water to flow into the ground. This process purifies water naturally as it flows towards a well head. A very efficient process.

Florida, for example has incredible water problems to overcome. I once toured the Miami/Dade water and sewer treatment plant. Their sewer water injection wells were about 10 feet from the water well heads. Thirty nine manufacturing steps were required to bring their water up to drinking standards. Surprisingly enough, the combined sewer and water rates for Miami were less then our rates at that time.

Dan Caldwell

Des Moines

Retired Highline

Water District commissioner