THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 28, 1994 TAG: 9408260283
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
On Aug. 7 the Beacon published a letter, ``Mayor `plain wrong' about racetrack's dependence on city water system,'' written by William Camp Jr., who is chairman of a group of investors seeking to locate a racetrack in Portsmouth.
Mr. Camp states that homeowners in Virginia Beach are restricted from washing cars and watering lawns. These restrictions apply only to the use of public water purchased from Norfolk. Existing homeowners and businesses in the city can apply to the Virginia Department of Health for a permit to install a well for irrigation. In addition, new businesses and residential developments have the same opportunity and right to apply for potable well permits as does Princess Anne Downs.
Princess Anne Downs plans to use water stored on-site in lakes and storm-water retention ponds for track and landscape irrigation for approximately 50 percent of its water needs. Farms and nurseries commonly use lakes for irrigation.
Mr. Camp cites Churchill Downs president Tom Meeker's statement in May 1993 that track water usage would be 500,000 gallons per day. This estimate was later revised by Horton & Dodd Engineering, which estimated that 406,000 gallons per day would be needed. Their evaluation concluded that 206,400 gallons per day needed for irrigation could be supplied by the storm-water retention lakes.
This relatively small quantity of water from approximately 14 acres of lake surface will be imperceptible considering storm-water flowing directly into the lakes, water returning to the lake after being used for landscaping, evaporation and transpiration.
The remaining portion of estimated daily water usage (200,000 gallons per day) is the peak demand for potable water. The average usage will be approximately 123,635 gallons per day. This quantity will be supplied by wells.
Southeast Virginia has been designated a Groundwater Management Area by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Any well that withdraws in excess of 300,000 gallons per month requires a permit from DEQ. The permit requires rigorous analysis and a review of DEQ of the quantity of water to be used, available sources of water other than groundwater, the lowest quality of water needed, regional groundwater impacts, a water-conservation plan and a mitigation plan.
DEQ concluded its review of the Princess Anne Downs application in May 1994 with a letter indicating that a groundwater withdrawal permit will be issued when wells are installed and operational.
DEQ agrees with the application analysis that the requested groundwater withdrawal does not jeopardize the quality of the groundwater within the aquifers from which it is to be taken, and that the quantity of water withdrawn will not adversely affect other groundwater withdrawals in the region.
Homeowners and businesses, including Princess Anne Downs, who install wells for potable uses during the water emergency will be required to connect to the city's public water supply after a permanent supply is secured. The amount Princess Anne Downs will draw from the Virginia Beach water system (after a permanent supply is secured) is about one-third of 1 percent of the city's current average annual water demand.
Mr. Camp suggests that Princess Anne Downs will get water after the water supply emergency is canceled, even if the Gaston project is not on line. Virginia Beach cannot cancel the current water emergency until a sufficient water supply is secured, because Virginia Beach has no permanent water supply of its own and is reliant on the purchase of surplus water from Norfolk. Norfolk has restricted Virginia Beach's use of Norfolk water to an average of 30 million gallons a day, and consumers in Virginia Beach are presently using in excess of that amount.
Virginia Beach has conducted extensive studies for decades to develop a self-sustaining water supply. Surface water from lakes and groundwater from wells were studied. Since the studies concluded that these alternatives are not feasible for a municipal water supply, the Lake Gaston pipeline has been pursued.
Churchill Downs has a 120-year history as a solid community partner. Princess Anne Downs will favorably impact Virginia Beach's tax base and thereby the city's ability to continue providing for quality of life for its citizens.
Meyera E. Oberndorf
Mayor
City of Virginia Beach
Thomas H. Meeker
President and CEO
Churchill Downs by CNB