water wells and flooding - know your rights
DESCRIPTION
This is a presentation presented by the Education Committee of the Americus Area Community Coalition of Lafayette, IN. Our mission is to educate local residents about threats to their health, safety, or well-being. Our current mission is to oppose and stop the Rogers Group stone quarry proposed just north of Americus, IN, on Old State Road 25 North.TRANSCRIPT
A Presentation from the Educational Committee
Americus Area Community Coalition
Members: Ron and Joan Chapman, Roger and
Sherry Circle, Robert and Carol L’Homme, Ron
Plotner and Deb Dailey
Our Mission: To educate local residents about
threats to their health, safety, or well-being
Flooding is a major concern
In the new prints, roughly 100 acres will be
removed from the flood plain
Removing flood plain leads to flooding in
tributaries of the Wabash
Decline in aquifer water levels is another
Quarry Impact Study done by the
Minnesota DNR from 2001-2005
8 quarries studied at random
6 of the 8 quarries shown to have
impacted the water level in their areas
Well readings not taken at the remaining
two quarries (so it’s really 6/6).
Drop in Volume (Flow Rate)
Complete Loss of Supply
Change in Water Quality (Sulfur Water)
Lack of an aquifer here (unconsolidated)
Town Wells
Between
Significant
Withdraw
Wells
Green well
markers are
unsure
Well stops furnishing regular amount of
water or run completely dry
We would have to submit a written request
for a DNR investigation
Division of Water will come on-site to
determine who is at fault
DNR director shall declare a ground water
emergency and investigate
Provide immediate temporary provision at
the prior point of use of an adequate
supply of potable water for 90 days.
Reimbursement of expenses of buying
drinking water and redrilling your well IF
THE COMPANY IS FOUND AT FAULT
Indiana Code 14-25-4 protects all properly functioning small capacity wells installed before January 1, 1986.
Wells installed after this date must be constructed in accordance with the standards set forth in Rule 312 IAC 12 and Rule 312 IAC 13.
However, if the well was “installed after January 1, 1986, and that well does not meet the rule requirements, the owner will have no protection under the law.”
20 ft. for Unconsolidated Aquifer
50 ft. for Bedrock Aquifer
IC 14-25-4-17The owner of a significant ground water withdrawal facility shall provide timely and reasonable compensation to persons who own nonsignificant ground water withdrawal facilities if there is failure or substantial impairment of those facilities IF the failure or substantial impairment was caused by the ground water withdrawals of the significant ground water withdrawal facility.(Burden of Proof)
Letter from Cameron Clark, DNR Director
Water Rights Are Enforced AFTER THE
FACT – no preventative measures taken
Even if we are covered, we get lost in the
interim, we wait, we pay money, etc.
Have a static well reading taken by the
DNR
Contact Kay Mller to get on the list
Always best to prepare for the worst Conact the AACC at: www.americusacc.com