by: Mike Davidson
Our City has made poor decisions in the past regarding strategic planning and water security. If better choices had been made, we wouldn’t be in the undesirable, critical position we find ourselves in today. I’m not referring to our workers but to the decision-making process.
A prime example is our $30 million dysfunctional wastewater treatment plant. Meanwhile, our neighbors, 19 miles to the north, are under no restrictions beyond normal conservation. They have a wastewater plant that cost $16 million, is fully functional, and their strategic planning has left them with a water supply projected to last 40 years beyond ours—and growing.
They privatized their water system with EPCOR many years ago, and their rates are approximately the same as ours. Both our City and a private company like EPCOR make a profit on water. However, the profit and rates of private companies are regulated by the Public Regulation Commission, while the City can raise its rates as much as it wants, whenever it wants.
A private company doesn’t face the same costs and red tape as the City. For example, the City spent $3.4 million drilling six wells a few years ago, two of which were dry. The remaining four produced minimal water. In contrast, EPCOR uses known, high-producing agricultural wells, bringing them up to municipal code, connecting them at a fraction of the cost, and achieving greater water production.
Additionally, we lack Level 4 certified personnel, while our wastewater plant requires a Level 5 operator. EPCOR has four high-level certified personnel on their staff 19 miles away.
These are some of the other reasons why the majority of citizens in Portales support privatizing our water system:
* The City would not need to spend $250,000 on a geophysical survey of the well field.
* The City would save $16,000 per year on software for water rate analysis.
* Our departments would no longer be responsible for repairing or expanding the infrastructure.
* Reduced need for vehicles, equipment, and inventory.
* The City would no longer handle billing, collections, hookups, or disconnects.
* The City wouldn’t have to maintain the Drought Contingency Plan or water policies.
* A private company could offer incentives to customers for conservation, without violating anti-donation laws.
* EPCOR has a professional legal team to negotiate water rights and related matters.
* EPCOR’s education and promotional efforts would ensure long-term conservation.
* The City would relinquish control over rate structures.
* EPCOR has the expertise and resources to repair the design flaws of our wastewater treatment plant, making it fully functional.
* No City employee would lose their job; in fact, they might receive better pay, benefits, and training, increasing the value of their careers.
* State and Federal laws would protect the City’s water rights.
* Water would be purchased from the City, which would still generate revenue from utility services. Improved efficiency could even enhance the City’s budget, with savings on payroll and equipment costs.
* The loss of City personnel often results in a significant loss of knowledge and experience. A professional management company would ensure uninterrupted service for years to come.
* The reduction in tasks and responsibilities would allow the City to focus on other problematic areas, like road repairs and trash service.
* EPCOR is already working alongside the Ute Pipeline Project, and incorporating Portales into that process would make the project run more smoothly.
These are just a few of the benefits I can think of. Maybe EPCOR isn’t the right choice for us, but it’s long past time for a serious evaluation. What we’ve been doing isn’t working, and our timeframes are critical.
