By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays city officials want residents and potential newcomers to know the city’s water supply is “not in crisis,” but “planning is in process for the next 10 to 15 years.”

The recent decision by the city commission to pursue development of its R9 Ranch in Edwards County 78 miles to the south of Hays is “our most viable option for a long-term water supply,” according to city manager Toby Dougherty, and “it could be a 100-year solution.”

About 60 people, including city staff members, attended Wednesday night’s town hall meeting in the Sternberg Museum of Natural History about the water situation in Hays.

Research by city staff shows Hays has been studying alternative water supplies for the past 60 years–76 separate studies and 21 separate water sources.

The results point to the R9 Ranch, with 8,000 acre feet of water rights, purchased by Hays in 1994. The city of Russell owns 18% of the ranch located south of Kinsley.

Moving the water via pipeline to Hays, at an estimated cost of $65 million, would invoke the state’s Water Transfer Act, which has never happened.

“What we’re doing now is determining if Hays can develop the R9,” explained Dougherty.  “It’s mostly behind-the-scenes work of getting through the regulatory process.”

“We’re likely to have some opponents,” added city attorney John Bird, “although the entire usage for the city of Hays represents only 1.2% of the water utilized in Edwards County.”

Vice-mayor Henry Schwaller IV stressed the city “must first be sure we can trigger the Water Transfer Act:”

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Commissioners voted February 27 to move the city’s current drought status from a water watch to a water warning.

Outdoor watering is prohibited between 9a.m. and 10p.m.

Details about the water warning and the city’s water conservation programs are available on the city’s website.