HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 01-27 Consultant disputes water well claim THE REVIEW O cv �y
Consultant disputes
water well claim
A consultant from the Water Quality struction of a well.
Association told the Maplewood city "The opportunity provides the means
council last week that pending guidelines for preserving the usage of ground water
for enforcement of the new Safe Drinking without interference with St. Paul's
Act should not pose any problems for system, as I interpret the engineer's
cities with well water systems. report,"Corder said. "Some additional
Zenno Gorder, who served as water study and consideration seems to be
utility manager for Madison,Wis.for 12 specially in order since later sections of
years, appeared before the council to the report tend to differ because of con-
offer free advice on how the city could jectural factors."
proceed with meeting its long range water In other opinions,Gorder said:
needs.And in particular he was out to —That"the rather appreciable number
promote the retention of ground water of users with individual wells and pumps
usage wherever possible. that wish to retain their systems be given
Corder,in disputing the latest Kirkham assurances in the form of appropriate
Michael report,said that water treatment resolutions or ordinances that they not be
of a well system is generally no problem. required to hook up or be assessed until
..And I base that personal opinion such time hook up is an arguable con-
on nearly 40 years of direct and cept."
professional management experience,"
he added."For example Madison has 24 —That Maplewood's apparent decision
wells...with four lake waters readily to keep those areas of the city presently
available, served by St. Paul water system, in-
"Madison and Wisconsin utilities are eluding the 3M Company,on a complete
not worried about EPA(Environmental billing system"is one that is supported
Protection Agency) regulations but and sound,this keeping in mind the ad-
surface water sources are in some in- visability of regular contract review and
stances." clarifying to some degree when so needed
Gorder later admitted, "EPA or indicated,"
regulations may well pose some problems —That the surcharge idea,as recom-
heretofore nonexistent. But their mended by the Kirkham Michael
regulations for surface water treatment Associates, to finance water im-
are considerably more involved as more movements, "is sound in concept and
problems and claims are made." funds obtained will plug a leak of property
Corder,who is a part time consultant in tax derived revenues."
consultation with the Pont of Use Water —That there would be benefits in ap-
Industries,advised the council to give pointing a Water Supply Utility Com-
particular attention to the latest mitts, which would be responsible to
Kirkham-Michael report which advises carry out the decisions of the council in
that the portion of Maplewood which is policy matters. It could assist the city
served by North St.Paul water system manager in negotiations with North St.
could feasibly be continued by the con- Paul or St.Paul.