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Cornish council orders water testing, eyes moving ahead after state misses 30‑day reply
Summary
Council asked for targeted chemistry tests of town springs to design filtration and debated telling state regulators that engineers should proceed after the state failed to respond within a 30‑day window; staff will seek specific test lists to avoid unnecessary costs and coordinate samples.
Cornish town officials directed staff to obtain detailed water chemistry tests for individual springs and told engineers to proceed with planning if state regulators do not respond to the town’s inquiry.
The council discussed which parameters are needed for filtration design — mineral content, chlorides, manganese and bacteria tests in addition to nitrates — after vendors and water operators requested specific analyses. S1 said the town lacks complete spring‑by‑spring test records and asked staff to confirm exactly which tests are needed to avoid duplicate $2,000 charges per sample.
Why it matters: The tests will determine whether the town can use reverse‑osmosis, ion exchange or other treatment options and influence project cost and timeline for installing filtration at springs that supply the town.
Councilors also noted the state or attorney‑general’s office had not replied within the 30‑day window on a regulatory question that affects whether certain tests must be done in season. S1 said, “I fully expected a response within 30 days,” and the council agreed staff should draft a polite notice to the state and inform engineers that planning should proceed if no guidance is received. S2 added the town should confirm the specific test list so sampling is targeted and cost‑effective.
The council asked staff to coordinate with the town water operator and to arrange for vendors or engineers to visit the springs to collect flow measurements and samples. They also asked for a breakdown of the expected costs and a schedule for when sampling can occur before peak summer use.
Next steps: Staff will ask engineers and vendors for a precise list of required tests, arrange sampling for each spring if needed, and circulate a draft email to the state for council review. The town indicated it will proceed with planning if the regulatory office does not respond in a timely manner.
