Rainbow must comply with mandate and needed to move quickly

The volunteer Rainbow Municipal Water District Communications Committee desires to counter inaccurate statements made during and after a recent election that aimed to shape Ordinance 95-1.

Those inaccurate statements – made in emotion-based campaign materials and newspaper letters – questioned the need to comply with state and federal mandates that Rainbow cover its open reservoirs. The statements also questioned Rainbow’s acceptance of a $6.7 million loan/grant to do that legally-required work.

First, please recognize Rainbow must comply with CFR 141.714, which requires that treated water supplies be covered. There can be no debate or appeals. It must be done. RMWD is already noncompliant for not completing that by April 2009.

Water supplied to Rainbow is treated near Lake Skinner and sent to us through pipes. It is not “raw” water awaiting treatment. Covering our reservoirs results in a cleaner, safer and more-dependable supply. It protects our precious supplies from chemicals, human or animal wastes and other potentially-harmful substances.

Secondly, Rainbow needed to move quickly to qualify for and obtain government loans/grants available for mandated projects. By accepting funds available for such “shovel ready” projects, Rainbow obtained $3.3 million that it will not need to repay. It’s possible the $4.4 million designated as a loan might also be forgiven someday.

We believe this is good stewardship of public funds and the best way to protect our water quality and meet state and federal mandates.

Ratepayers and volunteer members of a Rainbow advisory committee:

Charles Vega

Anne Atkins

Nancy Crampton

Carolyn Mathes

Dorothy Romani

Tim O’Leary