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Norman outlines plan to close projected 9‑MGD water shortfall by 2045
Summary
City staff told council they project about a 9 million gallons per day (MGD) water supply gap by 2045 and recommended a short-term mix of Oklahoma City wholesale water and expanded Garber-Wellington wells, while pursuing indirect potable reuse as a phased long-term option.
Cole Niblett, a presenter on the water master plan, told the City of Norman onstage that planning shows a potential water supply shortfall of roughly 9 million gallons per day by 2045. He said staff's near-term recommendation is to rely on additional Oklahoma City wholesale water and further develop the Garber-Wellington well field while preparing regulatory and rights pathways for indirect potable reuse (IPR) if needed.
City staff outlined the reasoning behind the projection: demand projections follow expected population growth, the plan builds in a reserve margin for drought and sudden commercial spikes, and an updated gap analysis under those assumptions shows the approximately 9 MGD shortfall. "Our gap analysis identifies a potential water supply gap of approximately 9 MGD by 2045," Niblett said during his presentation.
To cover near-term demand, staff emphasized available, implementable…
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