Ashland Water
I normally try to avoid arousing the trolls on our local Nextdoor site, but occasionally I get interested in a particular item. Such was the case the other day when one of our local curmudgeons posted an announcement for a newly formed group that is opposing the city’s plans to build a new water treatment plant. The current plant is about 80 years old, nearing the end of its useful life, and does not employ modern water purification technology required to treat water with algae blooms. The proposed new plant will include the updated technology and also replace the aging infrastructure that is located in a constrained location between the creek at a steep embankment.
Scott Fleury, Ashland’s director of public works, made a very comprehensive presentation on the why and how of the proposal for a new water treatment plant. It’s a long presentation (about 90 minutes including some questions from the city councillors) but he covers a lot of ground. When I had finished watching I was persuaded that the new plant is in the best interest of the community. Yes, it’s a costly plan, but it assures Ashland of a steady, reliable supply of clean drinking water for the foreseeable future. The curmudgeons were not interested in any of the information presented, preferring to label everything the city staff has to say about these plans as lies. There is no point in arguing with these guys — they are just cynical and stubborn.
There is one aspect of this kind of infrastructure investment that they fail to consider: spending on local projects like this is not simply pouring money down the drain. The millions spent will include dollars spent on wages in the local community. One of the main features of the FDR economy was public investment in major infrastructure programs (eg., the Works Progress Administration) designed to put Americans to work. Big public works projects are good for economies, beyond just providing updated and improved infrastructure.
I don’t expect to persuade the guys who are behind the “no spending” campaign. They just don’t get it. But I hope reasonable, open minded Ashlanders will see the value in investing in keeping our water clean and drinkable for future generations. And it doesn’t hurt to put people to work, either!
Posted 4 September 2024 by Mark ·