Well project continues as Greenbelt dwindles

Pumping groundwater from Clarendon to the Greenbelt Water Authority system is inching closer to reality as dry weather continues to take its toll on the local reservoir.

Greenbelt General Manager Bobbie Kidd said this week that all five wells in north Clarendon have been drilled, and electricians are working this week to wire the controls and pumps for the project.

“We have electric service to three of the five wells,” Kidd said, “and the other two will be the last tied to the system.”

The contractor that will build the pipeline from the city well field to the Greenbelt filter plant has not yet started its work but is expected to very soon. Pipe for the project has been on the ground for about two weeks, Kidd said.

“It shouldn’t take very long,” Kidd said. “They tell me they can cover about a quarter-mile per day.”

Communication equipment and antennas for the project is also expected to be installed very soon.

Meanwhile, the persistent dry weather has reduced Greenbelt Lake to 13 percent of its capacity, and local folks have reported seeing dead fish and fish skeletons from the water receding.

Kidd says the drop in the lake has actually stalled with the little bit of moisture that the area has seen and efforts to reduce the demand on the lake. The lake was estimated to have about 7,710 acre-feet of water this week or 2.5 billion gallons.

Fishing boats are still being allowed on the lake, but Kidd said Greenbelt won’t be selling any annual permits this year – only day permits. He also said the water authority won’t be spending any more money to extend or work on boat ramps.

The ramp at Old Marina Point is currently the only safe place to launch from.