City discusses long-term solution to water shortage

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

The city of Hays appears on the verge of developing a new water resource after officials discussed the issue at Tuesday evening’s Hays City Commission meeting.

City Manager Toby Dougherty told commissioners his staff has considered all options and believe developing R9 Ranch located south of Hays is the city’s most viable solution.

“The city is looking at a long-term issue here. We are not looking at short-term,” Dougherty said at a press briefing Tuesday morning. “We are looking 50-plus years into the future.

“The governor recently tasked the Kansas Water Office with developing a long-term water vision, and the governor asked for a 50- to 100-year vision. This is where we should be looking for water, not five to 10 years down the road,” he added.

The project, a pipeline to deliver water from Edwards County north to the Hays area, is estimated to cost $65 million. The city has approximately $27 million in reserves to assist with the project. Since 1992, the city has collected a special sales tax to help fund water projects, and the majority has been placed into reserve, a fund Dougherty said would continue to grow.

Dougherty told commissioners the regulatory process with the state will be lengthy — between five to 15 years.

However, he said the city has a good case because of the low level of precipitation Hays receives compared to peer cities, such as Garden City and Emporia.

Dougherty also said the fact Hays is No. 1 in the state when it comes to water conservation will help the city’s cause.

“When you talk about wise water usage, we use 95 gallons per capita, per person,” he said. “The regional average is 172 gallons per person.”

Doughery said Hays is not in “desperate” need at this time, and there are no plans to enforce a total ban on outdoor watering, but it was important to start the process now considering how long the it could take.

On the other hand Dougherty said city staff may have to extend water restrictions this summer. He encouraged residents to consult the city’s drought index.