Hot Springs looks at having well ordinance

A proposed town ordinance before the Hot Springs Town Council would ban the digging of water wells within town limits. Only a few Hot Springs residents attended the public hearing last Tuesday to hear the first reading of the proposed well ordinance, and they asked only a few questions on the details.

The ordinance would prohibit all drilling and development of private water wells within the Hot Springs town limits, unless it can be proven that public water cannot be provided to the property in question. The purpose of the proposed ordinance is to protect the underground aquifer Hot Springs uses from any possible contamination.

Council President Trudy Berge said protecting the town's water supply is something the council has been concerned with for a while and an ordinance like the current one has been before the council before. She said she expected there to be more discussion at the public hearing last Tuesday because they have traditionally had dialogue on this issue in the past.

"It came up several years ago and there was a lot of input then," Berge said. "I expected the same thing this time around."

Berge said the council is open to discussion on the proposed ordinance and would consider any arguments brought up on the subject.

"I always listen to what my constituents have to say and I act accordingly," Berge said.

She said the most important thing to the council is maintaining a safe water source and that's what she tells people when they ask about the proposed ordinance.

"A lot of people realize they need safe water," Berge said. "We have a good water system that we put a lot of money into and we want to protect it."

The proposed ordinance would take effect 30 days after the final passage.

Mayor Renea Keough said she also expected more people in attendance at last Tuesday's hearing because she had heard from people who said they didn't support the proposed ordinance. Keough and Berge both said much of the opposition was based on the fact that people don't want to be told what to do with their property.

"They don't want to be forced to use town water," Keough said. "We're not trying to go outside the town; we don't have authority in the county.

Keough said she cannot speak for the town council and won't know how they feel until they vote, but said she supports the proposed ordinance.

"I'm in favor of it." Keough said.

After little discussion from those in attendance last Tuesday, the council passed the first reading unanimously. One question that was brought up asked if already existent water wells within the town limits would still be allowed to operate. The council confirmed that those wells already in operation would and that the ordinance only prohibits the building of new wells.

Berge said she expects the ordinance will pass based on the amount of discussion at the first reading. She said she hasn't heard many arguments for the proposal, mostly inquiries.

The second reading will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, before the town council meeting that night. If the council passes the ordinance on second reading, it will take effect April 3.