by Lorraine Reynolds Water/Wastewater Manager

As we all know, water is a renewable but finite resource already stressed by the demands of today's global population. Inadequate water supplies are threatening agricultural production, human health, environmental quality, and regional stability in many areas of the world. Over-pumping of groundwater and over-tapped rivers are clear indications that current water use is unsustainable. Competition for water is increasing between urban and industrial users on the one hand and agricultural users on the other hand.

The challenge for those of us in the water industry, and for those who will follow in our footsteps, will be meeting the demands of an ever-increasing population while at the same time safeguarding the health of our states aquatic environment. Our success will depend on implementation of a new management style; a style that includes increasing water productivity, accurately assessing water's ecological value, adopting innovative water supply measures, developing partnerships across regional and disciplinary boundaries, and promoting a water ethic that is grounded in efficiency, equity for all stakeholders, and ecosystem protection.

In the old days (about five years ago), operating a water system or being on a water system governing body could be pretty easy. For many operators, boards and councils, meetings were as infrequent as possible, the major topics often were fishing holes or deer season, usually just one board member really knew or cared what was going on, and the big job was keeping rates low…no matter what!

Those days are gone. It's no longer the era of "the silent service". Why? Because your system stands at the intersection of three major public policy areas: public health, environmental protection and local economic protection. Now, having heard all that, one can conclude that we have quite a challenge in front of us. A challenge now further complicated with threats of sabotage and terrorism from those who don't like us, or our way of life. Add new tighter regulations as icing on the cake and one can see we truly do have a challenge ahead of us. But, that's what makes our profession so interesting.

Theodore Roosevelt once said, "Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." I say he must have been thinking of what we do in our profession!

What do we in the water industry do? We once provided a silent service. Silent until something went wrong, such as a sewer back-up, a water line break, low water pressure, or poor tasting or dirty water. Many times when responding to our customers needs we are called to be diplomatic and remain calm during emergencies and when our customers are without services. We also must deal with change in our profession; change being the only constant in our profession. The changes we are forced to make require eliminating old ways of doing things. This is good, because there is no sadder or more frequent obituary on the pages of time than "we have always done it this way."

We live in a society that looks for risks. The risk-seekers find risks and assess them, and with each new risk assessment, a new regulation evolves. We live in a land where regulations are truly a luxury of our affluent society and that is one reason why our country is the greatest nation on earth.

On behalf of the Klickitat PUD, please help us celebrate the National "Drinking Water Week." We truly do try to do our best in supplying you an abundance of safe drinking water for your community. Take a few minutes and tip your hat to the Klickitat PUD Water Department: Doug Miller, Field Supervisor; Roxie Hunter, Grant Administrator; Howard Sinor, Tim McMurrin, and Eric Shea, Water/Wastewater Operators; part-time employees, Bob Seborer and Brandon Walters. Thank you all for your unwavering dedication to your chosen profession.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your water system, please do not hesitate to call one of the following: Lorraine Reynolds, Water/Wastewater Manager (509) 773-7620 or Doug Miller, Field Supervisor (509) 773-7621.