City officials tried to get factual information out about how much water the city pumps from the city farm
More is being heard from some residents expressing concerns Washington CH causing private wells to dry up north of the city farm.
Council learned that a meeting was held Wednesday with Township Trustee Dave Edwards, County Engineer Steve Luebbe, Joe Burbage from City Water & Service Department, a few members of the City Water Department and City Attorney Mark Pitstick to discuss the issue.
The city starting pumping from farm wells on July 2nd and they are pumping about 750,000 gallons a day, not the one million gallons rumored. A comparison given at the meeting shows the county is pumping about 22,000 gallons per day at Leslie Trace and one million at Madison Mills.
City farm wells in question were put in service in 2008.
No hard evidence exists to suggest that the farm wells are contributing to the private wells issues north of the farm, but after discussion, the city will turn off the use of the farm wells starting October 3rd for a couple days and they will be monitoring the levels of a number of private wells to provide additional information on this issue. The affect on the city water reserves is expected to be minimal.
To make up for shutting off the farm wells, the city will turn on well #11 that will provide about 500,000 gallons per day during the time the farm wells are off to further limit the impact of exploring the farm well issues.
The city still has more than 200 million gallons of water in reserve. The reserve due to the dry weather has been dropping about 5 inches per week in the reservoirs. The rainfall shows about a 40% deficit for the year since we receive a large amount of water in the spring.
Other issue discussed at council were:
Tom Riley, Director of Finance reported that the city collection of city income taxes as of August 31st were slightly ahead compared to the same time last year. Riley also reported that gasoline taxes collected increased for the 3rd month in a row.
In legislation: By a 4-2 vote the ordinance dealing with the new businesses coming into the city with new jobs or the relocating of existing jobs within City of Washington CH was passed. The Job Creation Incentive Program would be based upon increased income tax revenue due to businesses either adding new jobs or new business that wish to located in the city would be able to participate in the incentive program. The businesses would be eligible for a 5 year period & can renew after that for another 5 year period as long as the jobs were still operating.
City Councilman Jim Chrisman asked that the ordinance be studied more and that it be tabled. Councilman Ted Hawk second the motion but it was voted down 4-2.
A resolution authorizing City Manager Joe Denen to prepare and submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement and/or Local Transportation Improvement Programs and execute contracts as required was adopted.
