Regional aquifer’s limits are cause for concern

Whether it’s getting a drink or irrigating an entire crop, in most cases, access to water can be as easy as the turn of a handle. Yet despite the ease of access to water here in the Palouse, the fact remains that the aquifers supplying that water are drying up.
Cities like Colfax, Moscow, Pullman and others rely mostly upon the Grand Ronde and Wanapum aquifers for their water needs. These aquifers, made of porous rock surrounded by impermeable layers of soil, clay or other rock, collect water over great periods of time like giant sponges and harvesting the water within them can be as simple as drilling a hole in the ground.
However, these aquifers, like any other natural resource, have their limitations. According to the Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee, it is widely agreed that the Grand Ronde is losing anywhere between six to 18 inches a year depending on factors like rain and usage.
The Palouse Basin system, part of the larger Columbia River Basin, covers most of southeast Washington, northeastern Oregon and western Idaho, though their actual sizes is still unknown.
The area’s topography makes it nearly impossible for researchers to determine the true depth of the aquifers as well as other limiting factors.
The Wanapum aquifer first supplied the region up until the 1950s when it began to run dry. As a result deeper drilling tapped into the Grand Ronde which currently supplies water to the majority of residents in Pullman and Moscow, though wells into the Wanapum aquifer are still active. In fact, the abundance of water derived from these aquifers was a major factor in locating Washington State University in Pullman.
Other issues regarding water supply in the Palouse region are those which deal with water usage. Locally, municipalities and the two universities aren’t subjected to water usage within a given time period. They may also gain greater rights based on projected needs in following years.
Many local environmental and water conservation groups have taken legal action against the state and WSU with help from the Center for Environmental Law and Policy over water rights.
One example; the Palouse Ridge Golf Course
Many residents and groups argue that the recently constructed Palouse Ridge Golf Course should not fall under the guidelines of “municipality” with which WSU’s water rights are regarded.
According to a report issued by CELP;

“WSU’s Capital Planning department states that the new golf course is projected to use between 30-55 million gallons per year for irrigation of 110 acres. However, irrigation engineering documents indicate the golf course could use up to 125 million gallons per year – seven times the usage of the old golf course and up to one-sixth of the water usage for the entire campus.”

Until a greater understanding of the sustainability of the water resources can be attained in the Palouse, conservation must be a priority. So whether taking a shower, or watering an 18 hole golf course, remember, less is more.

Online Sources:
Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee
http://wr.civil.uidaho.edu/cwis/palouse/overview.html

Center for Environmental Law & Policy (Columbia Institute)
http://columbia-institute.org/wsu/WSUhome/home.html

Palouse Conservation District
http://www.palousecd.org/?PageTextID=1

*Sources for quotes still needed* (rewrite?)