Water Crisis Averted as University Secures Backup Supply Contract

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed significant changes to the water supply agreement between the city and a local university, addressing ongoing challenges related to water management and compliance with state regulations.

The university operates its own water system, supplying just under half of its campus needs through groundwater wells, while the city provides water to the remaining portion. However, the university's water system has faced scrutiny from state authorities due to inadequate storage capacity, prompting the need for a new water tower. To mitigate this issue, the university has been utilizing storage capacity from the city's water towers, but this arrangement lacked a formal contract until now.

Officials highlighted the importance of trust in community water management, noting that previous boil water notices—four in total—had eroded public confidence. Two of these incidents were attributed to the university drawing water from the city’s system without prior notification, leading to pressure drops and subsequent boil notices. In response, the city has now implemented stricter controls, requiring the university to request water access explicitly.

The newly negotiated water sales contract establishes a \"take or pay\" agreement, ensuring that the university will pay approximately $13,000 annually for backup water supply services, regardless of usage. Additionally, the university's annual fee for storage in the city’s water tower has increased from $3,824 to $8,000, reflecting the new terms of the agreement.

The contract also stipulates that the university can only provide water to its own facilities and cannot extend services to external retail customers, safeguarding the city’s water supply interests. This includes new developments on campus, such as an agricultural center and a sports arena, which will initially rely on the city’s water system.

The agreement is set for an initial term of five years, with automatic renewals thereafter, marking a significant step in formalizing the relationship between the city and the university regarding water management. This collaboration aims to enhance reliability and compliance with state requirements while restoring community trust in the water supply system.