Quenching Bartlesville's Thirst Part 3

Bartlesville's Water Saga Continues

The City of Bartlesville recently unveiled a comprehensive overview of its water management journey, shedding light on the historical transitions, challenges, and proactive steps taken towards securing sustainable water sources for the community. This gesture of transparency is highly commendable, fostering a collaborative environment between the city officials and the residents. This article aims to resonate with the City's narrative, highlighting key points from their exposition and extending gratitude for addressing many concerns that have been on the minds of Bartlesville’s citizens. The detailed information provided is immensely beneficial in understanding the city's past, present, and envisioned future concerning water resources, setting a positive precedent for open communication.

The Historical Transition

The City’s disclosure traces the evolution of Bartlesville's water systems, right from Nelson F. Carr's rock dam across the Caney River in 1870, to the construction and enhancement of Hulah and Hudson lakes. These transformations over the decades underscore the city's adaptive approach to meet the growing water demands of the community[source].

Responding to Drought

The severe drought conditions of 2001-02 were a turning point, prompting the City to scout for alternative/additional water sources. The formation of the Water Resources Committee and the subsequent studies carried out, exhibit the City's commitment to averting future water crises and ensuring a reliable water supply[source].

The Dredging Discourse

The City's article illuminates the common query regarding the dredging of Hulah Lake, explaining the economic and environmental challenges tied to this option. By providing a clear stance on this matter, the City helps in fostering an informed community discussion around feasible and sustainable water management solutions[source].

Take Action

1. Stay Informed: Regularly check updates from the City of Bartlesville's official website for the latest on water management initiatives.
2. Participate: Engage in local community meetings addressing water issues. These meetings are often announced on the city’s official website or local news outlets.

3. Advocate: Promote transparency and citizen engagement in water management decisions, share your concerns and suggestions with city officials through appropriate channels. Here are the channels through which you can communicate:

• City Hall: You can visit the City Hall located at 401 S. Johnstone Ave., Bartlesville, OK 74003 to discuss your concerns in person. They are open during regular business hours, and this is a direct way to engage with city officials (source) (source).
• Phone: Reach out to the city officials by phone. You can contact the Neighborhood Services Division at 918.338.4230, or the Public Works Department at 918.338.4131 for water-related concerns. For water or wastewater leak reporting, contact 918.338.4224 during regular business hours, or 918.338.4055 after hours (source).
• Email: You can email your concerns to utilitybilling@cityofbartlesville.org, which seems to be a contact for utility-related concerns (source).
• Community Meetings: Participate in local community meetings where water management issues are discussed. Keep an eye on announcements on the city’s official website or local news outlets for meeting schedules.
• Engagement with City Officials: Engage with city officials like Terry Lauritsen, the city's engineering and water utilities director, during public forums or city council meetings where water management topics are discussed (source).

Sources

City of Bartlesville - Water 101: Guide to City's past, present & future water needs

Article by Shawn Griffin, with thanks to OpenAI & Google search

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