EPCOR Water와 마리코파(Maricopa) 수자원구역(MWD)은 각각의 수용자들에게 연간 최대 5천865갤런의 지표수를 공급하는 동시에, 농경지에서 주거지로 토지 사용을 전환한 피닉스(Phoenix) 서부 대도심에서의 물공급을 원활하게 돕기 위한 협정을 체결했다고 발표했다.

50년간의 파트너십 하에 EPCOR Water는 Aqua Fria 지역에서 이용되는 식수를 안전하게 처리하기 위해 MWD로부터 지표수를 구입할 수 있게 됐다.

 

 

 

EPCOR Water and Maricopa Water District (MWD) have announced an agreement that will help supply the water needs in western metropolitan Phoenix as land use shifts from farming to residential use, providing up to 5.865 billion gallons (18,000 acre feet) of surface water annually to EPCOR Water and MWD customers.

 

Under the 50-year partnership, EPCOR Water will be able to purchase surface water from MWD to treat for safe drinking water for use in areas of the Aqua Fria district that fall within MWD boundaries. The agreement is unique, shifting the use of water from agriculture to residential and commercial use that will allow Phoenix's West Valley to grow in a sustainable way.

 

The agreement -- one of the first public-private water resources agreements of its kind -- provides the West Valley with additional water supply and greater operational flexibility to meet the growth expectations of the West Valley.

 

A more renewable water supply also allows EPCOR Water to pump less groundwater, helping to protect the underground water supply -- a non-renewable natural resource. The agreement takes effect November 1, 2015.

 

In the United States, EPCOR Water delivers over 20 billion gallons of clean, safe water each year to more than 350,000 customers -- this includes over 5 billion gallons annually to more than 41,000 homes and businesses in the Agua Fria district which combines the use of surface water and groundwater for a drought-resistant, sustainable water supply. The agreement, which covers portions of the Agua Fria district that are within MWD boundaries, gives EPCOR Water access to approximately the same amount of MWD water, plus enough to supply future growth in the district.

 

"Ensuring the daily delivery of clean, safe water to our customers requires long-range planning, something that is deeply rooted in our company" said Troy Day, Vice President of EPCOR Water's Arizona operations. "This agreement memorializes our great relationship with the Maricopa Water District and ensures that, together, we will meet the needs of the growing West Valley."

 

MWD General Manager Glen Vortherms called the agreement "a win for the West Valley and a win for the future."

 

"We are thrilled to be part of this historic agreement," Vortherms said. "As land within MWD transitions from agriculture to homes and businesses, it is important that we also transition the use of our water resources. This will help us stay ahead of future demand, continuing a proud Arizona tradition of long-range water planning."

 

Joe Gysel, president of EPCOR Water's U.S. operations, agreed, saying: "This 50-year agreement with the Maricopa Water District is a key move for the future of EPCOR's water supply portfolio, and another example of the thoughtful approach to water management in Arizona."

 

[출처 = Water World / 2015년 11월 19일]