BY LIZZY SPANGLER
Diving in deeper
The takeaway
Working on water
2022
The city has been slowly allocating new connections since last May, with the two new wells enabling 2,833 new connections, city officials said. “It’s a very, very limited number that each development gets,” Robertson said. “That keeps new construction moving. It’s just keeping it at a pace that [makes sure] our current water system can withstand the demand.” Magnolia plans to build two wells per year as needed, city officials said. “The way I look at it is this community is in the middle of some pretty tough growing pains,” Robertson said. “And when those start, they generally continue for several years. And then it stops. … The city gets caught up on the infrastructure. But there’s really no other way to do it.”
Doering said the moratorium helps protect the city’s current developers. “We’re not letting other, newer developments that have just arrived get in line ahead of [current developers],” Robertson said. “We’re trying to prioritize and meet our existing obligations.” Robertson also said the moratorium helps the city issue new connections at a pace that doesn’t overwhelm its capacity. “We have to make sure our infrastructure is there to do the connections and meet the regulatory requirements, but then also during that time, be responsible as we can be about issuing those connections,” Robertson said. Another ripple effect of Magnolia’s water situa- tion was the city hiring an in-house city engineer. Prior to Robertson’s appointment, Magnolia outsourced its engineering needs. “[With] the numbers we’re looking at, he should instantly pay for himself,” Kana said.
Dec. 21: Council approves a 120-day moratorium
2023
April 11: Council extends moratorium for 120 days June 13: Council ratifies the appointment of Tim Robertson as city engineer July: Audubon’s water well comes online Aug. 8: Council OKs a second 120-day extension Sept.: City well No. 7 comes online Dec. 12: Council OKs a third 120-day extension
2024
Early April: City well No. 8 comes online April 9: Council extends moratorium by 120 days Late 2024-early 2025: City wells Nos. 9 and 10 to come online
Beyond
Two wells built per year as needed
SOURCE: CITY OF MAGNOLIA/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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