By Steve Burian
GRAND FORKS -- I would like to address and correct some of the information presented in George Freeman's letter ("Refuting the DL water-quality myth," Page A4, Jan. 15).
The statement that "no municipality uses the water of the Sheyenne River except Valley City (and only in an emergency)" is not accurate. Although Valley City can use only groundwater, which actually still is under the direct influence of the Sheyenne River, the city routinely uses a blend of 60 percent Sheyenne River surface water and 40 percent groundwater for its water supply.
The city uses this blend because strictly using groundwater draws down the aquifer too quickly.
The city of Fargo also withdraws a portion of its water supply from an intake located on the Sheyenne River. From August 2005 through November 2010, the city of Fargo used the Sheyenne River to some extent about 50 percent of the time.
ADVERTISEMENT
Overall, nearly 40 percent of the water treated at the plant over this time period was drawn from the Sheyenne River.
Currently, the city of West Fargo uses only groundwater from the West Fargo Aquifer as its drinking water source. But the city also holds two surface water permits for withdrawal of water from the Sheyenne River.
In February 2010, West Fargo completed a master plan for a future water treatment facility. The plan considers the use of surface water from the Sheyenne River to accommodate the growing community. The city also is considering collaborating with Fargo for water supply and treatment.
In addition, five entities hold permits for water stored in Lake Ashtabula, a reservoir created by the construction of Baldhill Dam. The dam impounds the Sheyenne River about 12 miles upstream of Valley City.
Together, the North Dakota communities of Valley City, Lisbon, West Fargo, Fargo and Grand Forks are allocated about 64,000 acre-feet of water stored in Lake Ashtabula. This water allocation comprises about 90 percent of the entire volume of Lake Ashtabula and is intended as a back-up water supply for these entities.
The article correctly listed the communities of Grand Forks and Drayton as drawing water from the Red River downstream of the confluence with the Sheyenne River. In addition, East Grand Forks owns an intake on the Red River, but currently uses the Red Lake River for its primary water source.
Grafton, N.D., which was not mentioned in the article, also draws its primary water supply from the Red River. In fact, Grafton in 2010 used 100 percent Red River water as its source.
Unfortunately, relieving the Devils Lake flooding is a challenge that does not have an easy solution for all parties involved. But state agencies such as the State Water Commission, our congressional delegation and technical groups are working tirelessly to find common ground and to work toward a resolution to one of the most pressing water issues facing our state.
ADVERTISEMENT
Burian is CEO of AE2S, a company that specializes in water system consulting and has provided water engineering consulting services to the cities of Valley City, Lisbon, West Fargo, Fargo, Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, Drayton and Grafton.
