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| City moves forward on well despite neighbors' objections |
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| Written by John Saiz / Patterson Irrigator | |
| Saturday, 23 February 2008 | |
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If the city doesn’t have another well operating by summer, the water rationing residents experienced last year easily could happen again. In an effort to avoid that fate, the Patterson City Council voted 4-0 on Tuesday to skip a lengthy study process before drilling its next well. The prime location for that well, according to the city, is the area around Orange and Sycamore avenues. The spot is known for having an ample supply of clean water. However, there are already dozens, if not hundreds, of private wells nearby. Now, several owners of such wells fear the city project will leave them waterless. They have let city officials know those fears at several meetings, but council members say they still want to move forward on the new well. Mayor Becky Campo said the city has done its due diligence, and officials doubt their well will hurt nearby county residents, in part because the city plans to drill much deeper than most of the neighboring wells extend. County resident Johnny Smith, however, told the council there is no guarantee that pulling from the deeper aquifer would not diminish the water closer to the surface. City water consultant Cort Abney, who is affiliated with the H20 Group, countered that the information Smith presented does not apply to the proposed drilling area. Tests suggest pumping the deep aquifer won’t diminish the shallow aquifer if the city doesn’t take too much, he said. Abney said that by using deep wells, the city would draw water from a source separate from that used by most of the surrounding wells. Also, he theorized that even if the city didn’t put a well there now, another agency likely would — and that agency might have less regard for residents. He said the Orange and Sycamore area is a good location for the well for several reasons, primarily because of the water’s quantity and quality. In 2007, the city had to ration water when a well failed to meet state guidelines for nitrate levels. There is already another city well in the area, and there’s a strong chance city staff will encourage the council to explore drilling more wells nearby. Abney explained that having city wells close together means the cost to distribute the water will be less. The council’s decision is not the last approval needed for the well. After a full environmental study, the planning commission will review the project again before construction. Whatever ruling that body makes can be appealed to the council. To reach John Saiz at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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