7 April 2009
We feel the following situations are potential hazards to the city of Athens’ drinking water and are all situations that share the same physical space as the wellheads or within close proximity:
Vehicles parked on the grassy area at the wellhead site at the West State St. Park
Lack of drainage at the parking areas at the West State St. Park (this drainage needs to be diverted away from the wellhead area)
Addition of ball fields adjacent to individual wellheads at West State St. Park
City salt storage
City bus garage and other activities located at this site
Some restriction on pavement near the wellheads
The West State St. area has a lot of pressures on it to be used by many in and around the city.
The West State St. area also houses most of the city wellheads.
This whole area needs to be looked at and uniform management of it needs to take place.
Additional concerns:
Proposed golf course and other activity by developer such as roads and parking of heavy equipment in the wellhead protection zone across the river.
Ohio University facilities that offer possible contaminants to the city of Athens’ drinking water which also means the university’s water supply.
The Westside Community Association has been vigilant in working with the city of Athens in recognizing the need for wellhead protection. With a change in administration we hoped many of these issues would be given a high priority but they seem to be put on the back burner.
Some of our members feel the wellhead plan is weak and doesn’t safeguard our water source. Others feel that a lack of coordination within the city administration allowing helter-skelter activity – cutting of trees, added ball fields, parking on the grassy wellhead site, continued salt storage, etc – to contribute to this situation.
Whatever the reasons for continued abuses by the city of the wellhead protection area, this situation needs addressed.
Joan Kraynanski, Co-Chair, & members of the Westside Community Association