Greensboro's Water Supply

A core issue that has fallen to the corner of our radar screen in recent weeks is the need for a dependable supply of water for Greensboro. We have learned that the Randleman Water Authority is ready to begin construction of a water treatment plant at Randleman Lake, once Authority members secure the necessary approvals and financing. We are faced with a delay of several more years before Randleman Lake water can be supplied to the city.

Why can't Greensboro begin now to address its water issues by laying the water transfer lines from Randleman Lake into the city? Apparently our water officials and city management cite cost of construction as a drawback. Water line(s) from the lake will have to be laid eventually, and it makes more sense to bear the cost today rather than several years into the future (the January 17 News & Record reported that inflation last year grew more than at any time in the last seventeen years). With water lines in place what would prevent us from drawing water from the lake and transporting it to our Mitchell Treatment Plant for processing and consumption, rather than having to wait for completion of the new treatment plant? I confess to limited knowledge on the subject, but can't help wondering if this might be a good interim solution.

It would be helpful if we could be told how much additional population increase and expansion of our borders can take place before our water resources are in a permanent deficit. This seems to me to go hand in glove with intelligent land use planning.

At Lake Townsend a new dam costing $ 50 million (manager's estimate) must be built. What is the status of that project and is the estimated cost the same as it was last year when the city manger made the announcement? I assume procedures will be in place to manage construction costs so they are kept within budget.