Ephrata to encourage less water use

EPHRATA — The city of Ephrata is looking to reduce water use citywide by 4 percent as part of its citywide comprehensive water plan.

“Basically, we’re looking to be more efficient,” said Public Works Director Bill Sangster.

The city has been replacing all of its water meters and has, over the last several years, replaced about 80 percent of the city’s water mains, reducing leakage significantly, he said.

While system leakage has been reduced to less than 10 percent — for every 10 gallons that get pumped into the city’s water mains, a little more than nine gallons comes out — water usage over the last six years has risen by 2 percent, according to the city’s water efficiency goals document. The city had sought to reduce water usage by 2 percent during the same period.

“We have a base rate that says if you use more, it costs you more,” Sangster said. “That’s the obvious thing.”

Sangster also said the city sends out regular mailers to customers letting them know ways they can curb water use. The city also “notifies someone if they get a high (meter) reading,” he said.

Ephrata has also moved its recycling center to a new site behind the National Guard Armory and in front of the city’s Splash Zone water park, off A Street Southeast.

Sangster said the city wanted to move the recycling center from land leased from the railroad on Alder Street to city-owned property where it could be fenced in and maintained better.

“We fenced it in so it wouldn’t be a mess when the wind blows,” he said.

Sangster said it cost the city between $35,000 and $40,000 to move the facility.

The recycling center, which should be open 24 hours, will still take glass, cardboard and aluminum, and Consolidated Disposal Services will still handle the material.

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached at [email protected].