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Show 59 ties. In this regard I wish to thank this committee and express appreciation for the efforts to authorize the funds for EPA to assist with vulnerability assessments for water utilities in the Nation. Jordan Valley is pushing the envelope of developable water supply in areas never before contemplated in our area. We have pioneered the recharge of our principal groundwater aquifers through deep injection wells. We have partnered with Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation and the State of Utah to reclaim groundwater contaminated by past mining activities. We are conducting research and pilot studies to convert lower quality agriculture waters to municipal standards through membrane filtration and reverse osmosis processes. We are modeling and implementing treatment processes to maximize the quality and quantity of surface waters. We have installed biological toxicity monitoring stations to provide warnings against hazardous material spills in our surface water sources and against terrorist acts. We are exploring how waste water effluent can be used to supplement and extend our water needs. In short, we are leaving no stone unturned in exploring ways to expand and extend our limited water supplies. All of this is being done, also, while attempting to recognize and balance environmental values and interests. Indeed, there is a great need for investigation and mitigation of environmental impacts with regard to all our water development efforts. On behalf of the residents of the State of Utah, it is our desire that the House Science Committee consider providing funding to support innovative water development projects, water treatment processes, technologically efficient and economical infrastructure, and environmental investigations and mitigations that will expand and extend the future water supplies of Utah and of our great nation. Thank you. [ The prepared statement of Mr. Ovard follows:] PREPARED STATEMENT OF DAVID G. OVARD REGARDING WATER NEEDS IN UTAH Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to testify today regarding water needs in Utah. My name is David Ovard. I am General Manager of the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, which is the largest municipal water district in Utah serving 20 other entities on a wholesale basis in Salt Lake County. We find ourselves at present in Utah in the fourth year of below normal precipitation. The run- off from snow- melt usually peaks at this time of year and runs far into the summer. The run- off for this year is essentially over for most of the state. Reservoir levels are at historic lows. Groundwater levels are declining. Soil conditions are extremely dry. The cumulative effects of four years of drought have taken their toll, and it is very unlikely that we will be able to reverse our present situation in the near future. My greater concern, though, is for the long- term situation. Utah's population is projected to increase by 70 percent over the next 30 years. Over 80 percent of this will be natural increase, our own children and grandchildren. It is projected that this growth will require an additional water supply of 500,000 acre- feet or 160 billion gallons of new water per year to meet this need. In Salt Lake County, the cheap and easy to develop water is gone. Our efforts are being complicated and compounded by concerns for the environment and water quality. We are struggling to replace old and inefficient components of our infrastructure. In light of the events of September 11, we are also being confronted with the need to provide security for our water resources and facilities. In this regard, we wish to express appreciation for the efforts of this committee to authorize funds for EPA to assist with vulnerability assessments for water utilities. We are pushing the envelope of developable water supply into areas never before contemplated in our area. We have pioneered the recharge of our principal ground- |