Published: June 17, 2009 09:50 am      

Camanche resident sounds off about water resolution

CAMANCHE — More discussion on the new Camanche city ordinance dealing with water systems and wells in the western section of Camanche was sparked with comments by resident Doug Murphy during the Camanche City Council meeting Tuesday evening.

Murphy began his comments with two main complaints. He said the ordinance is unfair and discriminatory to those living in the western rural area of Camanche. He also was concerned with the fact that the ordinance was passed by the council on May 5, after the council waived the second and third readings.

“It would be a lot easier to understand and live with the ordinance if we would have had a chance to voice our opinion, come in and explain exactly what is going on. But we were denied that opportunity when the second and third reading were waived and it was passed in one group and signed,” said Murphy.

“Well first I think I would like to respond to the second and third reading on the ordinance itself,” said Mayor Jim Robertson. “Before that was passed, there was a previous council meeting that we went over item by item in regards to this ordinance with a packed room in here, with a lot of people. And we went item by item to try to get a reasonable ordinance to pass and modify it. So, I think in saying that, that it wasn’t a real rush deal. Probably in hindsight we could have had a second or third reading, but there wasn’t nothing sinister about it. No one was trying to rush anything through.”

Robertson and several council members agreed that when they feel a subject has been discussed thoroughly, waiving the second and third reading is not that uncommon. Robertson said the topic was discussed in at least three separate meetings. He said the fact the board was discussing the issue was also published in the meeting agendas and by local media.

Robertson said the ordinance gave the residents in the area a choice on whether they wanted to hook up to city water. City Administrator Tom Roth said the ordinance only prevents residents in that area from creating new sand points and wells. Robertson said the main concern in restricting that particular area is the presence of possible contaminants due to dumping by businesses and the landfills.

“I think it would be irresponsible for the city to allow the citizens living out there to continue to recycle water up and down out of that area because we don’t have any way of monitoring what’s coming up and out of that water and what exposure to the children and the pets and everything else have out there. So it was my recommendation that we not allow the citizens out there to operate those wells,” said City Attorney Tom Lonergan.

Lonergan said the EPA had initially told the city that possible contaminants posed a very real problem. He said the EPA wanted to designate the entire city as a restricted water area. The council told them no. Members in the audience, including Murphy, however, said representatives from the EPA and the DNR stated the contaminants pose very little risks. Lonergan said he found the situation rather aggravating.

“I think the city has been consistent in trying to impact as small an area as possible where the safe water is going to be delivered to. I think the EPA and the DNR are saying whatever might be expedient to people today to try to get them off the phone,” said Lonergan. “I don’t think they’re helping to solve this problem with the way they are dealing with it now. They’re passing it back to us.”

The discussion continued with no agreement or solution being decided. Murphy asked the council to entertain repealing the ordinance and allowing the citizens to have more input in the ordinance process this time.

Councilman Trevor Willis said it may be possible to repeal the ordinance, but Lonergan said he would not feel comfortable in repealing it with the possible contamination problems and safety risks. The council agreed that at this time, it has no plans to repeal the ordinance.