Casino-Free Milford "Busts" Third Myth Regarding the Foxwoods Casino Proposal: WATER SUPPLY!

Every other week, Casino-Free Milford posts its Casino Myth Busters feature in this blog space to debunk misconceptions about the Foxwoods casino proposal. Check out our third “busted” casino myth below and look for more busted myths every other week:

CASINO MYTH #3

The Milford Water Company can provide plenty of water for a new destination resort casino, as well as existing residents and businesses!

THE FACTS:

Water Usage Restrictions Are an Ongoing Fact of Life Here in Milford.

The current conservation status is STAGE II – DROUGHT WATCH, issued June 18, 2013. This mandatory requirement means that Milford residents are currently limited to using outside water between the hours of 7:00 PM and 7:00 AM on odd or even days, depending upon your house number. Refer to: http://www.milfordwater.com/

Our Water Supply Is So Precarious That the Water Company Will Terminate Service Upon a Second Violation of the Conservation Order.

The Water Company stresses that they will issue a written warning for the first violation of the conservation order, but will TERMINATE water service upon a second violation. In fact, the Water Company asks local residents to:

Call and report any violators. … All calls are anonymous and no names are needed, just an address.

Refer to: http://www.milfordwater.com/wanted-water/

Milford Has a Minimal Buffer in Its Water Supply.

The Milford Water Company’s current production capacity is between 2.65 and 2.8 million gallons per day (MGD). Milford currently uses an average of 2.63MGD, leaving us with a reserve capacity of only 0.17 MGD. This low reserve capacity partially accounts for our ongoing water restrictions.

Take a look at the following numbers:

• Milford’s current total water usage is 2.63 MGD.
• Foxwoods says they will need 0.17 MGD for Phase I of their development.
• Add the two numbers and you get 2.80 MGD.
• Milford’s current maximum water production capacity is 2.80. This leaves NO RESERVE CAPACITY.

These numbers raise some critical questions:

• Foxwoods has not yet provided water requirement numbers for Phase II of their development. How much more water will Foxwoods need if it builds Phase II?
• The proposed casino development at Suffolk Downs is similar in size and scope to Foxwoods Phase I, but the Suffolk Downs casino water requirements are more than twice the Foxwoods estimate. What if the Foxwoods estimate is too low?
• Who will pay for an upgrade to the Water Company’s infrastructure to ensure Milford has a sufficient reserve capacity if a resort casino is built here?
• Will the Milford Water Company be able to supply enough water to all of Milford’s residents and businesses—including Foxwoods—if we undergo a severe drought?
• If the Water Company builds a new infrastructure to increase capacity as needed for Foxwoods Phase II, will this provide enough water capacity to allow for the expansion of Milford Hospital and other future development in town? Or, will we exceed our state-authorized allotment of water to provide for future development?

The Milford Water Company Has Been Unable to Obtain Water from Other Sources.

Shefsky & Froelich attorneys Cezar Froelich and Kimberly Copp reported to the Milford Board of Selectmen on June 17th  that Foxwoods would seek water elsewhere, perhaps from Medway, if the Milford Water Company is unable to meet Foxwoods’ total demand. (Shefsky & Froelich is the law firm that has been hired by Milford using Foxwoods’ funds to oversee the review of Foxwoods’ plans.) However, the Milford Water Company website specifically states:

The company has made attempts to purchase additional water from its neighboring communities but like Milford they have no extra water available.

Refer to:  http://www.milfordwater.com/wanted-water/

For even more details regarding Foxwoods’ plans for using Milford’s water supply, refer to “Evaluation of the Foxwoods MA Proposed Casino Development Presentation as Delivered to the Milford Board of Selectmen on June 3, 2013.”

We can preserve our community AND our water supply by working together to keep Milford Casino Free!

Learn how in our printable flyer “15 Easy Ways You Can Help Keep Milford Casino Free.”