PATA History Pages

Well field Expansion Threatens Pickerington Ponds

City plans to expand Diley Well field pumping capacity

The following is a letter sent to various agencies in the EPA in reference to the proposed City of Pickerington Well field expansion and its possible affect on the Pickerington Ponds.

Lisa A. Ross
8951 Charington Court
Pickerington, Ohio 43147
rosslisa2@hotmail.com
8 November 2000

Ms. Susan Applegate
Ohio EPA, Director of Central District
Division of Drinking and Ground Water

Dear Ms. Applegate:

As per our conversation today, I am concerned about the expansion of the City of Pickerington’s Well field on Diley Road to an additional 3 million gallons per day pumping capacity, and the possible effects on the adjacent Pickerington Ponds Metro Park and State Nature Preserve. The concern is that in previous reports by various engineering entities about the nature of the Pickerington Ponds area, the Pickerington well field has been identified as being located within the zone of influence of the Pickerington Ponds. The city’s request for a substantial increase in pumping capacity could possibly draw down the level of the Pickerington Ponds significantly, destroying the unique fragile ecology of this natural treasure.

You informed me that Hydro-Geologic studies investigating this possibility are not required by your division prior to giving permission and approval of the well site plan. This would allow the city to drill and operate this well without any investigation of impact to the adjacent fragile ecosystem. I am aware that the other studies that you require such as Delineation reports, flood plain impact, proof of land ownership and location of nearby sanitary sewer apparatus would not address this issue. I have contacted the city to request any reports outside of your requirements that their engineering firm may have conducted on the impact of the well field on this area.

Due to the unique nature and location of this well field in proximity to the fragile ecosystem of the Pickerington Ponds area and your immediately pending approval letter to the city of Pickerington to commence drilling of the test well for final plan approval, I request the following:

1. Please delay the issue of your approval letter until an investigation of the possible draw down of the aquifer and its effect on the Pickerington Ponds can be verified or discounted by appropriate independent Hydro-Geologic studies. I understand this is not a requirement under your current rules but this particular well head is in a unique location compared to the other well heads covered under your regulations and I strongly believe special consideration would be prudent to prevent possible harm to the environment.

2. I formally request a Public Hearing to discuss these matters immediately or upon completion of these studies, prior to issuance of a letter of approval of the well plan or permission to commence with the test well. I believe it is appropriate to inform interested citizens, the press, environmental groups, the Columbus Metro Parks and Ohio Department of Natural Resources personnel about the possible effects on the Pickerington Ponds of this well field expansion. Additionally, The Columbus Metro Parks office will be presenting their data from their draw down sensor wells located around the Pickerington Ponds area to the Metro Parks Board on 10/16/2000. Please contact Metro Parks Director John O’Meara, at 891-0770 to seek the results of their studies. Please hear their concerns about the impact of increased pumping capacity of drinking water wells in the immediate vicinity of the Ponds.

3. If your office or division us unable to address these issues, please forward my concerns immediately to any division chief within the EPA who could address my concerns. I will be contacting individuals in the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Natural Areas and Preserves Division, and the Soil and Water Conservation Division seeking their help and expertise as well as several environmental groups.

4. The City of Canal Winchester is in the initial stages of planning a well field that is located approximately, 1.5 miles Southwest on Diley Road from the Pickerington water treatment plant and well field facilities. Additionally, this well field is slated to be located on the grounds of the Canal Pointe Industrial Park. I would like the same concerns applied to this potential well field since it may be possibly located in the zone of influence of the Pickerington Ponds. I believe investigation of such should be required. I also question the location of a drinking water source in an industrial park and the ability of the source to be protected from future harm based on potential further development of this industrial area.

I would like to share with you part of the motivation of my concerns in addition to the environmental harm possible to this unique Pickerington Ponds area. In 1998, the city of Pickerington passed a resolution in response to development threats to the Pickerington Ponds on the Columbus side of the ponds during a well-publicized citizen effort and referendum to stop harmful development directly adjacent to the Ponds. A portion of the resolution reads as follows:
Resolution 98-15R titled, Responsible Development in the Pickerington Ponds Area:
1. The wildlife area known as Pickerington Ponds is an important and vital resource and source of enjoyment to neighboring City of Pickerington.
2. The ecology of such wildlife habitat is extremely fragile and strong measures are necessary to maintain its unique character.
3. The soil type and requisite flow / drainage of the area are not conductive to high density developments
4. Part of the area which is sought to be developed around Pickerington Ponds is in the Pickerington Local School District
5. Such high-density development is not in the best interest of the Pickerington schools….
Now, Therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the City of Pickerington, Fairfield- Franklin Counties, Ohio, a majority of its members concurring:
The City of Pickerington hereby supports the efforts of local residents to encourage and mandate responsible development in the Pickerington Ponds area.


If the city will abide by this resolution, I believe they will be interested in investigating this situation to ensure they will cause no harm to the Pickerington Ponds. I do not desire to possibly stop their well field expansion in this location if it will cause no harm to this unique ecologically fragile area. I implore you to assist other concerned citizens and me in investigation of this situation to prevent possible harm to our environment.

Thank you for your attention and help in this matter. Response via email at rosslisa2@hotmail.com is the most efficient way to reach me.

Sincerely,
Lisa Ross

Cc
Michael Baker, Ohio EPA, Division Chief, Drinking and Ground Waters
Jim Bonk, Ohio EPA, Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance
Kara Allison, Ohio EPA, Issue Coordinator, (Public Information Center)
John O’Meara, Director, Columbus Metropolitan Parks
Peg Hanley, Public Information Manager, Columbus Metropolitan Parks
Bill Habig, Director, Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission
Stuart Lewis, Chief, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
Nancy Strager, Asst. Chief, Ohio Department of Natural Resources,
Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
Harvey Wasserman, Great Blue Heron Alliance
Jack Shaner, Ohio Environmental Council
Pat Marida, Chair, Central Ohio Sierra Club
Bob Harding, Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance
Randall Hughes, Mayor,
Joyce Bushman, City Manager,
Frank Wiseman, Director of Utilities,
City Council members,
The City of Pickerington