Payson Roundup

Editor:

I read the article concerning an abundant Pine/Strawberry water supply. As a result of that article, I assume that many people in Pine are looking forward to having a garden next summer. I rejoice with my neighbors who have been issued water meters and no longer have to haul water this winter. I hope that they, too, will be able to enjoy the abundant water supply during the summer to come.

There is, however, one problem with your article insofar as it does not tell the community how much this abundant water is going to cost. For months, I have been trying to get the Pine Strawberry Water Improvement District (PSWID) to share the Michael Ploughe report on the Milk Ranch Well with the community. The community deserves to know how much it is going to cost to remove the sand from this well’s water in order to have it delivered to people’s homes. My requests have been ignored.

I have also asked PSWID (1) if they have completed a water demand study and (2) to provide their definition of an adequate water supply. These requests for information have also been ignored.

Because of campaign promises, PSWID has said it will continue current water rates for two years. However, at the end of that two-year period it is anticipated that the entire community will pay for water year-round at the current horrendous Pine summer rates. This increase would be significant for the entire community and very likely impose a hardship on many.

Because of my lack of success with questions to PSWID I have not asked them the following question: Would a reasonable rate increase at this time eliminate the need to borrow additional money at an adjustable rate and prevent the necessity of putting the entire community on Pine summer rates year-round?

The community has already experienced unexpected and significant increases in PSWID taxes. Any discussion of Pine/Strawberry’s improved water supply should include an open and honest discussion of the cost of bringing that abundant water to the members of the community.

Bernice E. Winandy

Pine