Village accepts water study showing plentiful water

WARWICK-We have a bounty of water." So was the interpretation from Mayor Michael Newhard of a long-awaited village water study performed to show capacity of the wells used by the village, as well as the source of the village's main water supply The study, which was performed by Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc., stated that based on a conservative maximum yield of both wells and reservoirs, "The village has an adequate water supply to meet existing average and peak seasonal water demands. In addition, the village is estimated to have a surplus water supply of about .72 million gallons per day." The study concluded that the village's well #2, which is located in Veteran's Memorial Park, has a maximum yield capacity of about 620 gallons per minute. The village's well number 3, located at Mount Peter Road outside of the village, yields 245 gallons per minute, totaling 865 gallons per minute or 1.24 million gallons per day. The reservoirs are capable of contributing .86 million gallons per day. That combined with the wells totals 2.1 million gallons per day. A more conservative maximum safe yield, according to the report, would be 1.64 million gallons even in extreme drought conditions. The study also looked at the village's aquifers and discussed the length of time needed to recharge these water sources. "This is intense reading," said Newhard. "It describes every bit of the testing that was done and what affected it, such as rain. They came up with more conservative numbers than we previously had. These are based on drought conditions." The study was commissioned nearly one year ago and was supposed to take 90 days to complete. Instead, it came in nWarwick —"We have a bounty of water." So was the interpretation from Mayor Michael Newhard of a long-awaited village water study performed to show capacity of the wells used by the village, as well as the source of the village's main water supply The study, which was performed by Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc., stated that based on a conservative maximum yield of both wells and reservoirs, "The village has an adequate water supply to meet existing average and peak seasonal water demands. In addition, the village is estimated to have a surplus water supply of about .72 million gallons per day." The study concluded that the village's well #2, which is located in Veteran's Memorial Park, has a maximum yield capacity of about 620 gallons per minute. The village's well number 3, located at Mount Peter Road outside of the village, yields 245 gallons per minute, totaling 865 gallons per minute or 1.24 million gallons per day. The reservoirs are capable of contributing .86 million gallons per day. That combined with the wells totals 2.1 million gallons per day. A more conservative maximum safe yield, according to the report, would be 1.64 million gallons even in extreme drought conditions. The study also looked at the village's aquifers and discussed the length of time needed to recharge these water sources. "This is intense reading," said Newhard. "It describes every bit of the testing that was done and what affected it, such as rain. They came up with more conservative numbers than we previously had. These are based on drought conditions." The study was commissioned nearly one year ago and was supposed to take 90 days to complete. Instead, it came in nearly eight months late. Having the study performed had been discussed for years, especially at the urging of resident Eugene Casey, a retired engineer. He and others have been concerned with the amount of water available to the village as developers are knocking at the door wanting to annex property and build more residential developments in a village with a population of about 6,000. Deputy Mayor Roger Metzger has said that Orange County uses the same firm for all of its water analysis work. The proposal from the firm was for $37,850, of which $7,000 will be reimbursed by the county. The village gets its water from three reservoirs and two wells. The village's water wells have been used in times of drought and while a dredging project was underway at the reservoirs two years ago to increase capacity. That project did increase capacity by 3.5 million gallons or eight days' supply of water to villagers. Newhard was very pleased with the results of this study, as well as the study itself. "This is a very important document," Newhard said. "It is an important document for us as we grow because water is definitely going to be one of the most important issues we'll deal with. It is better to have the tools beforehand." Newhard also gave thanks to Casey and his advocacy. "I really appreciate Mr. Casey's advocacy. I'm very happy we did it.