Published ©nee a week in Palmar, Alaska for the Matanuska Valley
Farmers' Cooperating Association for the purpose of fdv^na news
of the Associations work, problems and accomplishments*
WATER. CORD IT ion SERIOUS
•
It is the painful duty of the Co-op to inform domestic water users that the supply of
water is again diminishing and that drastic measures will have to be taken to conserve
water until a more adequate supply is available.
It might be well to state that the present system was built about ten years ago and
at that time it seemed to be large enough to supply an abundance of water for years
to come. However, no one realized by this time that the demand for water would be
multiplied several times. The system was designed for the use of the Co-operative
and was built and financed by the Matanuska Colony authority for that purpose.
Ten years ago there were very few business establishments or homes in this area that
needed water, shallow wells furnished water for the people who lived outside the
Co-op area, had any one proposed a water system large enough to serve the area that
it now serves.be built, it would have been good for a laugh.
With the coming of World War II, and the many people who came to the Valley during
and after that, especially since the highway was built, the demand has become so
large that it seems-it will be impossible to supply everyone with the amount of water
they desire.
The Co-op demands have increased too, and a larger amount will be needed as soon as
the new milk plant is put into operation. This is the condition the water users of
this community are now facing.
Nature has taken a hand in the matter too, only about 2$% of the normal amount of
rainfall has occured in the Matanuska Valley during the last year. This has lowered
the water table and as the present system is of the gravity type, it means not enough
water enters the pipe at the source.
The Co-op realized that the supply was inadequate last summer and a new supply lat
eral was built at a cost of several thousand dollars. We hoped at the time this
would be sufficient but we now find that it is not.
There probably will not be much change in the water level for several months, because
the moisture that falls during that time will not be of much use. The dry frozen
groundwill not allow water to penetrate until it is thawed out again next spring,
and rainfall is usually small until mid summer, so if we are to develop more water
we will have to look for other sources. It is doubtful if the Co-op will invest any
large amount of money to develop water for the community at large, when it can get
enough for itself by curtailing outside users as it has a right to do. However, the
Co-op does not want to do this until it becomes absolutely necessary.
Any reasonable program will be considered and it is our desire to assist in any way
that seems likely to correct the present defect in the water system. If nothing is
done within the near future it seems likely that the Co-op will have to begin shut
ting off outside water lines and this will probably be done on the basis of shutting
off the lines that were installed last, meaning the water lines that were connected
first will be the last to be cut off. This seems to be the fairest way.
For the information of all concerned the Co-op only agrees to furnish any surplus
water and does not agree to supply any regular service. Anyone who wishes to be dis
connected can do so at any time. The only lines that belong to the Co-op are the
mains, all others are owned by individuals or water companies.
C. R. R
LET'S BUY L LJSE CHRISTMAS
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