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Groundwater concerns and developer presentation highlight debate over housing outside Onancock
Summary
A technical groundwater presentation and a developer's phased housing plan prompted questions about aquifer sustainability and potable supply. Residents and councilmembers asked for more independent review; a councilmember requested hiring a water engineer.
A technical briefing on groundwater sources and a presentation on the Coastal Square phased housing development outside Onancock dominated council discussion on Aug. 26, 2024.
Britt McMillan, geologist with Arcadis, presented a technical analysis of the source of fresh groundwater as it relates to the proposed housing development. Chris Carbaugh, developer with Atlantic Group, outlined the phased housing proposal. Councilmembers questioned infrastructure, water availability and long-term supply implications for wells outside town limits.
During public comment several residents raised concerns about regional groundwater withdrawals. Jay Miller said he was concerned that Mr. McMillan was a paid consultant to Accomack County and had joined remotely rather than appearing in person. Other residents pointed to local industrial water use, with one attendee noting the Purdue Chicken Plant’s withdrawals may have created a local cone of depression.
Susan Mastyl, a member of the Accomack County Groundwater Committee, countered public skepticism by saying the surficial (Columbia) aquifer “is perfectly potable water” in many locations and emphasized that quantity and quality are site-specific; she also described a residential shallow-well testing program now in place. Councilmember Joy Marino urged the town to hire an independent water engineer to review concerns about the development outside town limits.
No formal action or vote occurred on the development or the groundwater study during the meeting; councilmembers asked for additional information and indicated they may pursue further technical review before any land-use decisions are made.
