Letter: Protect Wheeler’s aquifer

Wheeler wants to protect its Aquifer Water Rights and extend its future as long as possible. The water system currently shared by Wheeler and Manzanita came about because Wheeler needed a Federally approved water system. Wheeler formerly used two open reservoirs located above the city for its water. Wheeler was forced to drill a well for its water and in 2004 the well came on-line.

For twenty years under a shared agreement Wheeler has paid a fair share of the expenses of running the well to Manzanita and plans to continue to do so in the future for its usage.

However, in 2004 when the Wheeler well came online the city of Manzanita diverted 75.76% of the water from Anderson Creek to a mere 11.6%. Since then, they began taking 88.40% of Manzanita water from the Wheeler well. Manzanita has exploited the bulk of the Wheeler aquifer by using 5-7 times the amount of water Wheeler uses.

Now, 20 years later, there is more pressure on the aquifer from the growth of Manzanita, which includes the State Park and summer population of 5,000 people using hot showers and flush toilets. And the State Park has planned an increase in spaces that will put an additional strain. The aquifer is not an underground river as some would like to think.

Wheeler citizens are now aware and concerned about the life of its only water source. Mananzita has an unused water filtration plant at the junction of Hwy 101 and Laneda Ave built in 2004.

The Wheeler water aquifer was set up to be shared by the two cities. Wheeler currently uses approximately 20 million gallons a year. Therefore, Manzanita has a claim to share 20 million gallons a year.

Currently Manzanita is using approximately 90 million gallons above the shared amount, which they have been taking for free. The aquifer’s exploitation must be reduced. Therefore, as a private citizen, I would like to see the cities agree on a type of ‘Shared Water Funds” to pay for any water greater than Wheeler’s usage at a dollar rate per 1000 gallons. Each city would share in the revenue collected for the excess water usage on a 50/50 shared basis paid monthly. Each city would continue to pay its own water maintenance and expenses as it has been. This is the only way to protect Wheeler’s existence and the Aquifer for as long as possible.

There are some, opposed to their little-neighbor Wheeler getting a fair price when it comes to their Water Rights and well ownership. I have been accused of “playing fast and loose” with the numbers previously submitted falsely to the Headlight Herald in my name. But I can say in good conscience my only goal is for Wheeler’s survival.

The City of Wheeler has been given my research and documents mentioned.

Gary Gitzen

Wheeler