Posted: June 22, 2009 |(0) Comments

Muskego — A hearing will be held Tuesday on a proposal to somewhat loosen Muskego's strict protections of city wells that provide drinking water to residents.

The protections, approved 10 years ago, prohibit certain businesses and other activities that might pose a hazard to the city's drinking water from being near wells. The city's rules are more restrictive than those of the state Department of Natural Resources.

The proposed change would prohibit only the same uses that the DNR does.

That means gas stations, car repair shops and towing services that the current city ordinance keeps at least 1,200 feet away from city wells could be located next to the wells. They would, however, need a special permit to operate.

Similarly, three facilities that the current law keeps 1,200 feet from wells would be allowed to operate 600 feet away, under the proposed ordinance. Those are animal waste storage facilities, bulk fertilizer and pesticide storage facilities, and landfills or waste disposal facilities.

Also allowed 600 feet away would be radioactive waste facilities, hazardous and toxic materials facilities, junkyards and asphalt product manufacturers.

Muskego's strict wellhead protection rules apply only to five of the city's 10 operating wells. Protection districts were laid out only for the five wells dug after 1992.

If businesses that normally would not be allowed in the protection districts find themselves inside one, they can stay, under the proposed ordinance. But the City Utilities Board would review them annually to make sure no pollution is getting into the wells.

The proposed wellhead protection overlay ordinance would also clear up inconsistencies in how the protection areas had been drawn, according to a staff report to the Muskego Common Council.

The hearing on the ordinance is set for 7 p.m. at City Hall, S8200 Racine Ave.