Seth Stone: Something smells fishy about water in Oakdale
Re “OID OKs outside sales” (Page 3A, March 18): Perhaps I don’t understand something. I am more than happy to do my part in restricting my family’s water use to relieve the effects of our drought. It is my understanding that our aquifer is depleted. Why then are we restricting our water use while Oakdale Irrigation District approves the sale of water to “wealthy outsiders” instead of using any excess water to recharge our shared aquifer? They can’t have it both ways.
They are telling us to save water so they can sell it and pocket the profit. My family is a very strong supporter of agriculture. We’re working toward our own small farm someday, but right is right and wrong is wrong. Something smells fishy about OIDs water.
Seth Stone, Modesto
Editor’s note: Not all aquifers are connected in the Stanislaus River basin. The water table can remain stable in some areas while dropping sharply in others.
This story was originally published March 21, 2016 at 6:44 PM with the headline "Seth Stone: Something smells fishy about water in Oakdale."