Water Security, Capacity & Cost
Growth decisions must start with demonstrated water capacity and a clear understanding of who pays.
My position
Water security, capacity, and cost are the foundation beneath Firestone’s growth. I would tie growth decisions to dependable water supply, treatment, storage, and distribution capacity—including under drought conditions—and a clear understanding of infrastructure needs, lifetime costs, and who pays.
What that means for residents
Growth should contribute its fair share rather than shifting avoidable costs to existing residents. Planning should account for construction, financing, operations, maintenance, and replacement, with water decisions coordinated with roads, drainage, public safety, parks, and other infrastructure.
My goal
Firestone should grow deliberately, sustainably, and within the community’s ability to support it.
Questions I’m Working Through
- What water capacity is reliably available for existing residents and approved development, and what additional growth can it support under drought conditions?
- What options could improve long-term water security while limiting costs to residents, and how should their costs and benefits be compared?
More detail
Evaluate the complete water system
Water rights alone do not establish how much growth the town can reliably serve. Supply, treatment, storage, and distribution each provide part of the capability. I want decisions to identify the limiting component, the capacity needed for existing residents and approved development, and the margin available under drought conditions.
Match investment timing to demonstrated need
Waiting too long can leave inadequate time for design, permitting, and construction. Building too early can leave residents carrying the cost of unused capacity. I would evaluate practical phases against actual demand, approved development, and realistic delivery timelines, while preserving flexibility as conditions change.
Test affordability when growth slows
A financial plan should remain credible when development arrives more slowly than projected. Before committing to growth-related capacity and debt, I want to understand which costs remain fixed, which investments can be phased, and whether existing customers would have to cover a shortfall in growth-related revenue. Alternatives should be compared on dependable capability, full lifetime cost, timing, and risk.