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City of Longview Public Works Director Jeff Cameron, right, and water department worker Brian Steveson stand outside a building covering a test well at the Mint Farm Industrial Park on Wednesday. Bill Wagner / The Daily News

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Longview officials considering shift from water plant to Mint Farm wells

Thursday, May 1, 2008 12:14 AM PDT

By Andre Stepankowsky

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Chances are increasing that Longview will abandon its water treatment plant on the Cowlitz River.

Recent engineering studies show that refurbishing the plant would cost a third more than abandoning it and establishing artesian wells at the Mint Farm Industrial Park, city public works officials said this week.

The biggest remaining challenge, Public Works Director Jeff Cameron said, is convincing the public that the groundwater supply several hundred feet below the city is safe.

For several reasons, it most certainly is safe and abundant, Cameron said in an interview Tuesday.

The city is faced with either refurbishing or replacing the Fishers Lane water plant on the Cowlitz River, its water source since the 1940s. The plant is aging, and abrasive Mount St. Helens silt is wearing it out, according to the city. Last summer, a sand bar nearly blocked the plant’s water intakes.

City Council members will take up the matter in a workshop next Thursday, and Cameron hopes they reach a consensus on which option to pursue. It’s one of the biggest public works decisions the city has faced in decades and is driving up water rates. Officials hope a new system is up and running by late 2011 or early 2012.

Consultants’ studies a year ago estimated remodeling the Fishers Lane plant or establishing wells at the Mint Farm would cost about the same -- $27 million. More recent analyses, however, have found that refurbishing the existing treatment plant would be 32 percent more expensive than the well system, for several reasons:

• Sediment settling basins, which the city had hoped to reuse at the Fishers Lane facility, must be replaced because the concrete and rebar that form them are rusting and collapsing.

• Inflation has driven up construction costs.

• So that the plant could meeting the city’s water needs during construction, work would have to be spread out over a longer period, and greater treatment capacity would be necessary.

A decision on the city’s future water supply may hinge on more than cost, Cameron acknowledged, because of the public “perception that groundwater can be contaminated and once it is you have to abandon it.”

That’s not the case, he said.

The aquifer the city would tap into is a layer of gravel lying 150 to 200 feet below the city’s surface and reaches down to bedrock about 400 feet down. It’s isolated and protected from surface water contamination by relatively impermeable layer of sand and clay-laden silt that lies over it, according to consultants’ reports. Some solvents could penetrate the layer -- if they are not cleaned up.

The aquifer is fed by waters rolling off surrounding hills and sources up the Columbia River canyon. It’s not river water, Cameron emphasized. Water in the aquifer is under pressure and wants to escape -- like air in a balloon -- instead of seeping in. So if anything the aquifer discharges water to the river. It is not fed by it. In fact, when the city drilled test wells at the Mint Farm, the water gushed out on its own without pumping.

There’s no doubt the aquifer can supply the city’s needs. Reynolds Metals Co. had wells tapped into the aquifer that were capable of producing 20 million gallons of water daily. The average city use is 6 million gallons a day, though that can spike to 17 million on a hot summer day.

“No one has any question about the capability of the aquifer to provide water to the city,” Cameron noted.

Raw water from the aquifer is clear when it comes from the ground, so a well system would need no settling basins like those at the Fishers Lane plant, said Amy Blain, the city’s manager on the Mint Farm water project. Thus, the system wouldn’t be subject to the volcanic grit that plagues the Cowlitz River plant.

The water would need to be treated to reduce levels of manganese, arsenic and iron, but that may not even be necessary once the city started drawing large amounts of water, creating a flushing effect, Cameron said.

The city would establish a series of “sentry” wells around the community to detect whether any contamination gets into the groundwater supply. If any is found, “the technology exists to treat just about any kind of contamination,” Cameron said.

The Mint Farm has other advantages over the Fishers Lane plant, he and Blain said, because it is closer to the reservoir on Mount Solo and would help equalize water pressure in the lowlands.

Taste is not an issue. Results from a blind taste test at the City Council recently were inconclusive. Well water didn’t score any differently than water from the river.

Even though the public works staff has recommended the Mint Farm option, Cameron said there’s a lot of sentiment in the community to continue drawing water from the Cowlitz.

“There is a lot of desire to stay in the Cowlitz River, because except for the sediment it is very good water,’ Cameron said. “But there is risk in staying with the Cowlitz River, and that risk is probably the biggest reason that we are recommending the Mint Farm groundwater supply.”

Lets see wrote on May 1, 2008 1:33 AM:

" The site is just a stones throw from Weyco who uses countless chemicals and has for years. Would I feel safe drinking water that came from the ground under Weyco, HELL NO! I bet the rich all drink bottles water. I am not rich. Fix the water treatment plant you fools! "

Backup Plan wrote on May 1, 2008 1:57 AM:

" Could these wells be damaged from events like earthquakes? If so, is there some type of backup plan that would provide safe drinking water? Is there a failsafe system that prevents contaminated water from entering the city's water supply once it's detected? Will there be stricter guidelines for monitoring hazardous material used at local mills and prevention of spills? (Recent leak at Oregon chlorine plant for example). These are just a few questions that come to mind and hope they are addressed. "

bluE wrote on May 1, 2008 3:12 AM:

" no, taste is NOT the issue, (and i dont think it ever was in longview) at least not the number one issue. my concern is that we are not being told the whole truth in regards to the levels of polution the people of longview are exposed to on an every day basis. now that the city wants to feed them water that lays below a handful of previously known industrial waste contaminated sites is my number one concern. my second is that, yes technology permits us to remove just about any chemical from water BUT at what cost? it has already been made clear that cost is the issue. what happens if it ends up costing more to clean up this water than is in the budget? what do we drink then? They say that arsenic will flush out after time? Im gonna close with this. if i had a coffee cup full of arsenic i wouldnt just be rinsing the thing out, i would at the least want that thing scrubbed clean. period! "

nuckle head wrote on May 1, 2008 5:56 AM:

" How bout drilling the wells at the existing Fisher Lane site. The settling ponds wont be needed and the infrastructure is allready there. Hello "

MrBee wrote on May 1, 2008 6:46 AM:

" It has been apparent from the start that the "city" was biased in there evaluation. The Cowlitz River is a known source that we know what problems exist. The city wants to change to a unknown source. Mr. Cameron states "The city would establish a series of sentry wells around the community to detect whether any contamination gets into the groundwater supply. If any is found, the technology exists to treat just about any kind of contamination. Note he said "just about any kind of contamination". Where is the study of this aquifer? I couldn't find any groundwater monitoring for the aquifer in Cowlitz County by the state of Washington. The "new" estimate for the Cowlitz River project is now $35.64 million! The cost for the "Mint farm"? Try $45 million,and yes I pulled that right out of the air. Based on past public works projects that should be about right. No way will what the city wants will be cheaper than the river. Remember the Cowlitz River is a known source. Do we want to trade it for a unknown? Does it matter what the tax payers want?
"

ironic wrote on May 1, 2008 6:58 AM:

" ironic that we live on the greatest river in the west and yet we may be pumping groundwater like the driest desert town. "

yikes wrote on May 1, 2008 7:33 AM:

" Why won't the city tell us past uses for the land and be honest about it. The city should do more to educate people on the whole story on the history of that land, rather than tell us everything is gonna be alright and it taste ok. There are Mothers who are worried about contamination to their kids, people are concerned about how safe drinking water is next to HEAVY INDUSTRY. We have people who are worried about solvants in the water. What happens if this thechnology used to clean the water fails like the current water plant on he cowlitz? "

Cowlitz River wrote on May 1, 2008 8:47 AM:

" Kelso has a raney well system - in other words, it sucks the water from beneath the Cowlitz River through the river bottom, which provides the primary (not only) filtration. However, even Kelso recognizes that there could come issues with the river, likely due to volcano or earthquake, where Kelso's raney well may be rendered non-functional. Kelso developed an alternative well in the event that ever happens. It would not be wise to rely on anything. Kelso's had to bail Longview out before with water. The raney system doesn't get clogged like Longview's system that just sucks straight water - if it's just water - unfortunately, there've been times when silt and debris have been more abundant than water - that's a huge part of the problem. Why doesn't Longview do a raney system in the Cowlitz, like Kelso, and keep your other wells ready in case of emergency??? "

Mr. Bastinado wrote on May 1, 2008 9:09 AM:

" Let's see...Hmm....Yep!
Worst tasting water....check.
Right next to a superfund site...check.
Cost much more tax dollars....check.
Another reason to attract visitors...check.

Yep, looks like our city fathers are doing their bang-up best.
Longview Rules. "

Drill wrote on May 1, 2008 9:10 AM:

" Whatever you do, give Edgell Well Drilling a call,..They will get the job done. "

Timberflea wrote on May 1, 2008 10:08 AM:

" I remember my Grampa telling me, "Don't poop where you eat." It only stands to reason not to drink from where your local industry has pooped. I have a question; if the current water source has not been properly maintained and upgraded since installation in the 40's, why should anyone believe wells dug on contaminated land would be maintained any better? Will Longview residence be reading in 60 years about seepage of chemicals because the equipment is so old and outdated? "

Guess What wrote on May 1, 2008 10:22 AM:

" Were the past uses on this land. A MINT FARM! Pretty dang toxic I would say. "

Bo Khaki wrote on May 1, 2008 10:30 AM:

" Reason #1356 I moved out of Longview. "

Overeducated wrote on May 1, 2008 10:32 AM:

" Everyone who commented needs to go to the workshop and make those comments to the city council. Politicians read these blogs but they respond to people who show up for meetings. remember there is nobody who will represent you at that meeting except for you. "

wow wrote on May 1, 2008 11:16 AM:

" Sounds like another Erin Brokovitch movie. Sooo scary and all that cancer for our babies and our loved ones and ourselves. Money has nothing to do with common sense. How do you know if it is only 2 or 300 ft that you have to go? Who will die to find out? Wake up, we have rivers so lets just fix it above ground like we always have and be safe. "

Another Concern wrote on May 1, 2008 11:20 AM:

" I saw on BBC World News yesterday that the city of Jakarta (Indonesia) is sinking due to subsidence caused by extracting too much water from deep water wells under the city. Granted, our little Longview is nothing like Jakarta, but I question whether or not subsidence may be an issue here. Low lying parts of Longview already deal with standing water during heavy rains and I wonder what would happen if parts of our area were to sink lower. This is just another concern to add to the questions of contamination, budget concerns, and unforseen difficulties with unfamiliar water sources. The video I referenced above can be found at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7374722.stm "

clay wrote on May 1, 2008 11:55 AM:

" Good riddance Bo. Anyway, they should have the mint farm wells as back up only. With all the industry out in that area, there are accidents and spills on a daily basis. Who knows for sure whether or not these chemicals get into the ground water over time. Sounds like a scary proposition to me. "

Kalama Dude wrote on May 1, 2008 12:18 PM:

" Good point bringing up the effects to the groundwater of what Weyco has been doing for decades, but let's not forget that Reynolds literally dumped on their back 40 for probably 30 years. Anyone who worked there knows the real story, so yes it would be fair to consider the effect of the contaminents that likely exist out there from ALL the industries that have/were so cruel to the land for oh so many decades. The City of Longview better be 110% sure of what they are doing before they start pumping that water into your homes. Good luck to all! "

wrote on May 1, 2008 12:22 PM:

" Has anyone read "A Civil Action"? Go look at the synopsis of that story. This just isn't a good idea. "

Heartless wrote on May 1, 2008 12:33 PM:

" There are zero superfund sites in Cowlitz county. "

To Heartless wrote on May 1, 2008 2:50 PM:

" There are plenty of known environmental messes here in the area, they just don't use the term superfund site anymore. Do some research see that Reynolds certainly is on a list, along with a paper mill or 2. Hate to see what exists under a few of those running or now lumber mills near 3rd. "

Clean it up wrote on May 1, 2008 3:05 PM:

" It seems to me that you have to study the FILTRATION of ground water and use R/O (reverse osmosis) to clean it because it supplies cleaner water than comes in the bottles. By the way those bottles leach chemicals into the water you drink.

I say go for the ground water and put the lions share into filtration instead of treatment. When a community boasts good clean chemical free water it has the world by a string! "

Response to Lets See wrote on May 1, 2008 3:28 PM:

" Let's See,
Oh my gosh!! That is the funniest comment I have ever read!! I just spit water all over my computer!! I agree, "Fix the water treatment plant you fools!" "

A person wrote on May 1, 2008 5:14 PM:

" My God, all you chicken little's are making me laugh.Its not like they are running a direct pipe from the wll to your house.They WILL filter it and whatnot.I would much prefer well water over nasty cowlitz water/If you all dont want it, send all to my house and I bet you I still live after drinking it for a while "

Louie wrote on May 1, 2008 5:40 PM:

" Hopefully none of that ground water includes any seepage from The Columbia River. I'm sure it is just full of nasty stuff from up-river that has been filtering down-river for years. You all have heard of Hanford right and the nuclear waste buried there in cement containers that leak? Could that also be the problem with our current fishery disaster? I really don't want the population to become endangered like the salmon because of the nasty stuff in The Columbia River that might filter into ground water. A tough decision must be made and hopefully those in power in this situation are better informed and smarter than the folks in the other Washington. "

Booey Hoo Hoo wrote on May 1, 2008 7:20 PM:

" Do I need to slice off a big chunk of my cheese wheel for you whiners? How hilarious it is to see you cry about the very items addressed in the article. When the new water comes on line, feel free to go by your own tap water in a bottle from wherever. Read the lies on the bottle and rest easy knowing that your bottled water is better than that from a well in Longview. What a joke (you, not the Mint Farm water). "

who cares wrote on May 1, 2008 8:19 PM:

" water is water people, quit whinning, its all treated and filters and yes , even chemicals put in it , gee whiz, really? besides, whats wrong with the water in the cowlitz? its all ok for you all, so give up the ghost, the cities will do what they want, hope you all got that off your chests, and feel better now !!! "

Bill wrote on May 1, 2008 10:25 PM:

" I bet it is a plot by them Artesians to take over the country! "

Witness wrote on May 1, 2008 10:26 PM:

" I personally have seen what is down 40 feet in the industrial area just down the road, it was black as night an flowing hard, it may be a positive pressure aquaduct now but when your taking the 17 million gallons a day out in the summer will that still be the case? or is the water under the industrial areas going to start seeping in? If it truly is 20 million I guess we are ok, but what about dry summers? How many horror stories have we heard about the Willamette River pollution?
I personally prefer a river with minimal industry verses an area that might be comprimised by heavy industry or a river that has been raped by every town upstream. "

RE Boooey Hoo Hoo wrote on May 2, 2008 6:23 AM:

" Boooey Hoo Hoo you have got to be kiddy me about your comments! Your ignorance is amazing! Anyone with common sense would realize that getting water from an area where chemicals have been used for many years in varies industries, is NOT better than bottle water. Yes, I realize that some bottle water is better than others, and some have added vitamins or other items. But god forbid, they didn't bottle up water from an area that was right next to major industries where cancer causing toxic chemicals were being used! For years, Weyerhaeuser has been sending their wonderful smells into the air. Gee, what they are using cannot be healthy! Why in the world does the city believe this is a viable and healthy option for water? Get real!!!! "

re re boooey wrote on May 2, 2008 2:23 PM:

" Yes, actually in cases they do bottle water right up from locations far worse than The Mint Farm, then sell it to you as "Mountain Fresh Spring Water." A lot of your bottled water is nothing more TAP water from the nearest water treatment plant. Better do a little more research and get real yourself.... "

to booey wrote on May 2, 2008 8:54 PM:

" do you really have a big cheese wheel? "

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