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Residents press for proof of nitrate source before committing to multi‑million dollar project
Summary
Public commenters urged the district to identify the source of elevated nitrate readings before approving a costly collection project, saying studies to date do not conclusively show septic systems are the cause.
During public comment, a resident who has researched past studies asked whether the district is being asked to approve a solution before proving there is a problem. The commenter said prior reports dating to the 1970s have not tested where nitrates originate and cited a North well reading of roughly 11 parts per million. "Where is the nitrate coming from?" the speaker asked, urging the district to identify the source before spending tens of millions.
Another resident, Ann Marie Gott, told the board many property owners outside the downtown area have not experienced problems and would nevertheless pay for downtown solutions. Both speakers urged delay or additional targeted testing so that remediation funding, if needed, reflects the actual sources of contamination rather than assuming septic systems are the proximate cause.
