Here’s a not-so-pretty version of the newsletter.
About the Project
Madison Water Utility is in the process of abandoning Well 3, which served east isthmus neighborhoods since 1928. Well 3 was taken out of service in September 2006 due to documented industrial contamination from past land uses. To replace this water source, the Water Utility is beginning a search for a replacement well site. In the meantime, all homes and businesses in the former Well 3 service area are receiving drinking water primarily from Wells 7, 8, and 11 although some locations also receive water from Wells 13 and 15.
A team of consultants led by Montgomery Associates is under contract by the Water Utility to lead the search for a new site to replace Well 3. The team is conducting detailed groundwater analysis, mapping potential sources of surface pollutants, and coordinating public involvement.
The search for a new well site in the east isthmus area is challenging because of the history of industrial use and landfills with contamination, lack of land open for new development, and desire to preserve park land and open space.
Due to the strong community interest in this project, the Water Utility formed a Working Group of east isthmus community representatives to help inform the siting process and guide public involvement.
What Is Happening Now?
This summer, the consultants are conducting assessments of surface contamination and subsurface geology in the search for a set of candidate sites for a test well. About 25 technical factors have been identified for evaluation and mapping; the majority of these are required by Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 811. Examples include minimum distances from storm sewer mains, fuel storage tanks, landfills, and existing drinking water wells.
If there are no candidate sites identified, the search will extend beyond the immediate area of the east isthmus.When and if this occurs, we will seek participation from the alders and neighborhoods added to the search area.
The expectation is that a set of well sites that meet the technical criteria will be identified in the fall. At that time, we will bring the results to the community for feedback on the candidate sites and to help weigh the pros and cons of each. More detailed scientific assessment of the prospective sites will also be underway at this time, as will initial consideration of construction and operational costs.
The DNR must approve any recommended test well site before drilling and sampling may begin.Test wells are used to collect site-specific hydrogeologic and water quality information to assure their suitability for a permanent water supply well. The replacement for Well 3 is to be operational in 2012.
What Is the Working Group?
Working Group and Project Team members are working together to inform the site selection and public involvement process. Community representatives to the Working Group are:
• Alders: Brenda Konkel (District 2), Marsha Rummel (District 6), Satya Rhodes-Conway
(District 12)
• Neighborhood Associations: Emerson East (Marty Cieslik), Marquette (Fae Dremock), Schenk-Atwood-Starkweather-Yahara (Dan Melton),Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Association (invited, not represented)
• Community Organizations: East Isthmus Neighborhoods Planning Council (Cassandra Garcia & Mikelanne Northrup), Friends of Starkweather Creek (Laura Hewitt)
• If the project area for the new well extends beyond the east isthmus area, we will extend the representation on the working group.
The Project Team providing support and information to the Working Group includes Joseph Grande (Water Utility), Steve Gaffield (Montgomery Associates),Anne Forbes (Partners in Place), Bill White (Michael, Best, and Friedrich), and other technical experts.
The Water Utility has asked the Working Group to help make sure that:
• The community’s issues and concerns are consistently understood and considered.
• The invitation to the community to participate is welcoming and inclusive.
• The technical information is crafted so citizens can understand and participate in the process.
•We communicate how community issues and concerns are reflected in the alternatives.
•We provide the rationale for the final decision, including information about how public input was considered.
What are the Community Issues?
Thanks to the previous public meetings about drinking water hosted by the East Isthmus Neighborhoods and Water Utility from October 2006-April 2007 and to the many people who attended, there is an existing base of information about community interests and needs. Working Group and Project Team members are reviewing the notes from these meetings to make sure that the issues identified to date are addressed. There will be an opportunity for people to review and add to this list of issues at upcoming public meetings. Some of the key issues citizens have identified to date are:
• Concern about surface contamination in the east isthmus area and its relationship to the deep aquifer, our source of drinking water
• Concern about constraints for a location for a new well on the east isthmus, including preserving park land, history of industrial use and landfills, lack of land open for new development
• Need for confidence that public health is not at risk
• Desire for a communication and accountability throughout the well siting process
• Concern about the cost of the replacement well to consumers
• Citizen interest in “coming to the table” to learn, be heard, and be part of the solution
• Interest in water conservation, citywide as well as on the east isthmus
How Can I Learn More and Get Involved?
Everyone in the community is welcome and encouraged to participate in public meetings about the project.
• This fall, the Water Utility and Working Group will host a public meeting where we will bring everyone up to date and provide opportunity for input. An informational open house providing background information will be part of the meeting agenda.
• To be put on the mailing list to receive information about public meetings, or for general information, contact Joseph Grande (266-4654 or jgrande@cityofmadison.com).
•Watch the Water Utility website for a link to the East Isthmus Well Replacement project page in early September.
• Information about the project and public meetings will also be posted on the East Isthmus Planning Council website at http://eastisthmus.org.
• To get news about drinking water, join the East Isthmus Neighborhoods Planning Council (EINPC) Yahoo! Groups Drinking Water listserve. Send an email to the list Moderator, Dan Melton, oakville000@yahoo.com. He will email you an invitation to join the list.
The expectation is that a set of well sites that meet the technical criteria will be identified in the fall. At that time, we will bring the results to the community for feedback on the candidate sites and to help weigh the pros and cons of each.
