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RESCOURCES Jacksonville plans to buy more Lost Creek Lake water The city has exceeded its allotment five of the past seven years Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 6, 2015 at 3:58 PM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 6, 2015 at 3:58 PM » Social News JACKSONVILLE — Facing summer water use that will likely exceed the town’s water rights in Lost Creek Reservoir, along with a new contract with Medford Water Commission and projected growth, city officials plan to purchase additional water later this year. A state water rights certificate and a contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers allow use of 400 acre-feet, about 130 million gallons, during the summer. But city use has exceeded 500 acre-feet the last three summers and five of the last seven. Purchase of an additional 200 acre-feet at $295,000 is expected to be included in the 2015-16 fiscal year budgets. “Two hundred acre-feet feels like it gets you a nice buffer from where you were at in 2014 and gives you some room to grow,” said Adam Sussman with GSI Water Solutions Inc. of Portland during a presentation to the City Council in April. “At the same time, you are not over-committing resources to buy water you may not need.” From October 1 to April 30, Jacksonville purchases water from the Medford Water Commission. The city uses its water right starting in May. The water commission had allowed the city to purchase the extra amount needed, but under a new contract, the city is required to have a water right in place for summer consumption. A 2014 Water Management and Conservation Plan completed by GSI projected demand for 697 acre-feet in 2031. The projections envision a population of 3,213 and no reduction in per-capita demand. The current population is 2,800. “What we are seeing all over the state is per-capita use is dropping off,” said Sussman. This can be attributed to more water-efficient appliances and fixtures in buildings, and to improvements in outdoor irrigation systems, he said. Jacksonville has exceeded its 400 acre-foot allotment every year since 2008, when it used the most, 574.9 acre-feet. The low amount was 427.5 acre-feet in 2010. In 2013, 539.5 feet were used, and 2014 consumption was 543.5. Work is already underway on a new contract with the Corps. City officials wouldn’t enter into the contract until the new fiscal year begins in July. “About half of the expense would come from the System Development Charges fund,” said City Administrator Jeff Alvis. The other half would come from money held in reserve after the city refinanced a water bond resulting in savings. The contract with the Corps would call for purchase of the additional right at $1,478 per acre-foot. Jacksonville last purchased water rights in 1995 when the cost was $1,100 per acre-foot. Water purchase from other sources was analyzed, Sussman said. Leases with irrigation districts would be possible, but the city wouldn’t own the water right, and delivery assurance would not be strong. “A water right for the use of stored water in a large project like (Lost Creek) has a large value in the face of climate change,” said Sussman. Jacksonville employs a three-tiered price structure during the summer to encourage water conservation. The city water clerk will work with property owners on water conservation efforts, said Alvis. “We’re encouraging low-flow toilets and drip irrigation, but there is no retrofit program in place,” said Alvis. Other communities have instituted programs to replace older appliances and fixtures with more water-efficient mechanisms. Tony Boom is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach him at tboomwriter @gmail.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 6, 2015 at 3:58 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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