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DMU tells county: our groundwater is low in nitrates, system has capacity and options to expand
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Summary
DMU staff told the board the system draws from 12 wells (plant rated 7 MGD, average ~3.1–3.6 MGD), reported low nitrates and no recent PFOS detections, and described options to increase supply including new test wells and a previously funded dam project.
Representatives from DMU briefed the Crawford County Board of Supervisors on April 7 about local drinking-water supply, treatment processes and capacity, and answered supervisors’ questions about whether the system can support new industrial or commercial growth.
Lucas, identified in the meeting as DMU’s water manager, said the utility currently operates about 12 active wells and rotates them; the treatment plant is rated at 7 million gallons per day and the system’s current spring daily use typically ranges around 3.1–3.6 million gallons. "We have 12 active wells that we pull from," Lucas said, and described the plant’s clarifiers, filters and ground storage reservoirs that feed elevated storage tanks used to maintain pressure.
On water quality, DMU staff said their wells draw from an alluvial (confined) aquifer that is less influenced by surface water, producing generally low nitrate levels (reported around 0.6 parts per million) and routine monitoring for chlorine, fluoride, iron and manganese. They reported no detections of PFOS in recent quarterly tests and said the system met regulatory limits; DMU noted that if MCLs (maximum contaminant levels) were exceeded they would pursue treatment or alternate sources.
Regarding expansions to increase yield, DMU described drilling test holes for new wells and a previous plan to build a six-foot rock-riffle dam that received a $1,000,000 grant but stalled for landowner consent. The manager said three of seven test holes showed promise for new supply and that DMU is exploring options including acquiring or rehabbing other wells, trial pumping from the river to recharge well fields, and small capture ditches to increase infiltration.
Supervisors used the presentation to ask whether the DMU supply could support further commercial or industrial development in Denison and surrounding towns; DMU staff replied that additional capacity is possible but would require specific site assessments and lead time for infrastructure (substation, water mains, permitting). The board encouraged continued coordination between DMU, county planners and potential developers to identify ‘‘show-ready’’ sites for industrial recruitment.
The board thanked DMU for the data and encouraged staff to return with any new findings from test wells or river-recharge trials.
