Meeting to discuss city’s water wells

Clarendon citizens will have an opportunity to learn more about the proposal to let Greenbelt Water Authority have access to city-owned water wells next Tuesday, April 17, during a public meeting.

The gathering at the Bairfield Activity Center will serve to inform the public about the project as well as discuss the history of the Greenbelt Water Authority, the current drought contingency plans, underground aquifers, surface water supplies, and short- and long-term water solutions.

City Administrator Lambert Little says he knows citizens have concerns about the city’s water supply and he feels a public meeting would be an opportunity for everyone to ask questions.

“I have heard so many rumors about ‘giving our water away,’ but this is an opportunity to get out of the Stage 4 drought contingency and generate some revenue for the city,” Little said.

Little said using Clarendon’s wells is the “cheapest, quickest, and easiest long-term solution that can be done in the short term.”

Attending the meeting will be Little, Mayor Larry Hicks, Greenbelt Board Member Gary Campbell, and Greenbelt General Manager Bobbie Kidd. The public is encouraged to attend.

Greenbelt Water Authority has been studying and testing two wells formerly used by the city; and during this week’s city meeting, the Board of Aldermen discussed a possible contract with the water authority regarding the wells. Little would likely include provisions to make the wells available to Greenbelt, allow the authority access to city rights of way, and propose a price for the water.

All expenses to develop and maintain the wells would be on Greenbelt’s shoulders, Little said.

Campbell, who represents Clarendon on the Greenbelt Board, says he has had a lot of feedback about the proposal, and he also hopes people will attend the meeting.

“If anyone has questions, I sure hope they will come,” Campbell said. “I will stay as long as they want and try to answer all of their questions.”