John Boyle of the local daily reported the findings of the Metropolitan Sewerage District’s study on the feasibility of a merger with the City of Asheville’s water system. Consultants concluded the merger could be completed, realizing efficiencies without raising rates or laying off any employees. Asheville City Councilwoman Esther Manheimer asked what compensating the city for seizing 20,000 acres of pristine watershed and untold miles of infrastructure would do to the equation. The question exceeded the scope of the study. Analysts only stated they did not even know if the city ought to be compensated.