Boards question 60,000-gallon water cap; consider closed-loop cooling and infrastructure limits

Water consumption emerged as a central concern during the Aug. 5 joint working session. Attorney Soren Mattick said closed-loop and air-based cooling systems can reduce ongoing withdrawals; a closed-loop system still requires initial fill but generally avoids continuous intake and discharge. The draft ordinance proposes a 60,000-gallon maximum water usage standard, a number Mattick said was derived by comparing other heavy users in the community.

Board members repeatedly urged staff and counsel to review the 60,000-gallon figure against Harmony’s water infrastructure and water appropriation limitations. Mattick said the City should require a water and wastewater management plan that identifies anticipated consumption, wastewater discharge and methods for handling both so the City can determine whether its wastewater treatment system can accommodate the discharge. Because the transcript is recorded as summarized minutes rather than verbatim testimony, the article paraphrases participants’ concerns rather than reproducing quoted dialogue.