Laserfiche WebLink
Liquid assetFriday, August 13, 2004 3:05:50 PM <br />efficient use of water and value -added processing for products. <br />"That's what the feedlot industry is, but we need to take it one step further," she said. <br />Other discussion at the conference dealt with cities trying to make sure they had water for growth or <br />new industry. <br />Gary Gillespie, mavox of Co peland, said he wants municipalities to be able to secure water rights <br />and hold them, so he can avoid another year with only an emergency well like he had two years ago. <br />Carolyn Armstrong, cit v ma_ uager_of_CoJby, said her search for a new well about three years ago <br />brought two offers of water rights with one so high she had to laugh at the price. Between water <br />rights lawyers and navigating through the state, she said the well eventually was set in place and <br />should be operational by 2005. <br />"Just remember, if you want one, you'd better plan on three years to get it through," she said. <br />Garden City Manager Bob Halloran said a partnership with Wheatland Electric Co -op allowed the <br />city of Garden City to get more water for use in a reverse - osmosis plant without seeking new water <br />rights. <br />"We wouldn't be able to do these programs without private industry," he said. <br />Now, he said, the city has been working to use wastewater for industrial use. <br />"I think we're the first in Kansas to attach a value to wastewater," he said. <br />This was the purpose of the KWC President Robin Jennison said early in the day. The KWC, he <br />said, is a way to get rassroo s input in water policy. <br />"I have never seen a legislative body make a mistake when they have all the information they <br />needed," he said. <br />The KWC is a nonprofit organization begun in February 2003 and supported by its own fees for <br />members and donations. <br />Speaking to the crowd, U.S. Sen. Sam Brownba_ ck K- .Topeka, said this was the sort of effort water <br />Page 3 of 4 <br />http://www.gctelegram.com/news/2004/august/13/storyl.htmi 8/16/2004 <br />