Moscow shifts water focus to Snake River

The Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee views the Snake River as the most viable water source alternative for the Palouse.

Moscow Deputy City Supervisor Tyler Palmer gave the Moscow City Council an update Monday on PBAC’s discussions about how to stabilize the decline of the Palouse Basin aquifers.

PBAC has studied five water alternatives to supplement the Palouse’s water supply. It previously favored one that involved diverting water from Paradise Creek and the South Fork of the Palouse River.

Palmer said PBAC has since pivoted to the alternative of diverting water from the Snake River to a water treatment plant where it would be treated and pumped directly into Pullman and Moscow’s water supply.

Palmer said the Snake River alternative is the preferred option because it can better meet the Palouse’s future water needs and will be the least affected by climate change. He said there is a better likelihood to attain water rights. The committee also knows this kind of project is feasible from an engineering perspective.

Palmer said this project will require a “patchwork” of funding sources, much of which will likely come from state and federal governments.

PBAC has already received $182,500 from the Idaho Department of Water Resources to continue studying this alternative and is hoping to get similar funding from Washington.

While this is the preferred option, Palmer said it does not automatically eliminate the other options that include drawing water from the Palouse River, Paradise Creek and Moscow Mountain. He said at any point PBAC could reach a dead end on any alternatives because of issues concerning fisheries, water rights or transferring water across state lines.

Palmer said local entities still need to continue conservation efforts, which have significantly reduced the aquifer decline to 0.7 feet per year. Palmer said the Palouse has seen a 3% overall decrease in water pumping since 1992 despite the population growth.

However, Palmer said it is important to take action soon to ensure the Palouse has abundant water for the long-term.

“Water challenges will not get easier,” he said. “It will not get cheaper.”

Also on Monday, the Moscow City Council approved the purchase of a new $1.5 million ladder truck to replace its existing 23-year-old vehicle.

The University of Idaho has agreed to pay half of the cost for the ladder truck, which would be purchased from Hughes Fire Equipment. Moscow City Supervisor Bill Belknap said the university’s interest in a ladder truck stems from the need for firefighters to respond to emergencies in tall buildings on campus such as the Theophilus Tower.

Belknap said the city and university have one year to make the full payment, and the city can seek grants in the meantime to help fund the new truck.

Moscow will have to wait some time for the truck to be manufactured and delivered, however. Belknap said the wait time could be as much as 52 months.

Kuipers can be reached at akuipers@dnews.com.