Measure I cost vs. benefits

Measure I is necessary to ensure a cleaner, reliable, long-term water supply. The broadly representative citizens on our Water Advisory Committee (WAC) unanimously agreed (10-0) that Davis must add surface water. Our City Council unanimously approved (5-0) this project as the best fiscally and environmentally sustainable solution. Environmentalists, seniors, school leaders and the business community endorse this path forward.

Benefits:

*High-quality drinking water and much-needed new infrastructure.

* Decrease adverse environmental impacts on waterways and wetlands.

* Reduce reliance on groundwater, helping preserve this irreplaceable asset.

* Save the expense of softeners and replacement of corroded fixtures; eliminate need for reverse osmosis systems.

Cost:

* Rates will rise regardless of this project; Measure I ensures investment in a cost-effective, long-lasting solution.

* Reliance on 100% groundwater is short-sighted; deteriorated wells are expensive to continually replace/upgrade.

* Partnership with Woodland reduces costs by more than $25 million.

* WAC recommendations have substantially reduced project size/cost.

* Delay brings higher costs; we risk major discharge fines due to low quality water.

Process:

For supporting information, visit www.daviswater.org.

We must seize this opportunity for the future of our community. Please join us — vote Yes on Measure I.

Elaine Roberts Musser, chair, Water Advisory Committee, and chair, Senior Citizens Commission; Helen M. Thomson, WAC member, Yolo County supervisor (retired); Rose M. Cholewinski, president, Davis Chamber of Commerce; Bob Schneider, conservation leader; Susan Lovenburg, president, Davis Board of Education.