Results Of New Water Source Tests Are In

By Gordon Hopkins The City of Fairbury is in receipt of the test results for water from a proposed alternative water source and the initial results look promising, at least as far as nitrates are concerned.The purpose of the Water Sourcing Project is to locate a new, lower-nitrate water source for both Fairbury and the Little Blue NRD (Natural Resources District). The city has identified a prospective location for the new wells approximately four miles south of Daykin. A series of test wells were drilled and the water obtained from those wells tested. Five of those wells have tested below the city’s goal of three ppm (parts per million). Miller & Associates Consulting Engineers PC, an engineering firm that operates in Nebraska and Kansas, has prepared a full report on the result. The results have not yet been presented to the Fairbury City Council. Mary Renn, Project Manager, told FJN, “Miller & Associates shared a powerpoint presentation at the LBNRD Board Meeting on April 12, however, has not yet presented that information to the council (yet to be scheduled).” While the nitrate content is what the city is looking for, it is unknown how the results for other chemicals in the water will impact the project.Reason for the Project Fairbury currently relies on the East Wells and Crystal Springs to provide water to the public. Both the East Wells and Crystal Springs have consistently tested in the higher range for nitrates, meaning greater than seven ppm (parts per million) but less than 10 ppm, over the past several years.Nitrate testing of these wells for the first quarters of 2022 was completed in March. The results:Crystal Springs: 7.25 ppmEast Well #1: 8.66 ppmEast Well #2: 7.57 ppmEast Well #3: 10.4 ppmCity Administrator Robert Messbarger told FJN, “Please note that East Well #3 never operates by itself, it is always blended with East Well #1 or East Well #2.”The test result of East Well #1 and #3 blended was 9.27 ppm. The test result of East Well #2 and #3 blended was 8.56 ppm.Agreement with Little Blue NRD In July, 2021, the city entered into an interlocal agreement with Little Blue NRD (Natural Resources District) to cost share in a project to identify a new water source with nitrates ranging in the 0-3ppm, under the LBVWS (Little Blue Valley Water Systems) entity. There are four board members in that entity, two of them representing the City of Fairbury, and two of them representing Little Blue NRD. Those board members are: Scott Nelson, General Manager – Little Blue NRD; Kevin Orvis, Project Manager – Little Blue NRD; Robert Messbarger, City Administrator, City of Fairbury; Erin Reimer, City Clerk, City of Fairbury.The project is cost shared and based upon projected consumption of approximately 72 percent Fairbury and 28 percent Little Blue NRD respectively.If the project goes through, the route of the pipeline to feed the water to Fairbury would be approximately 14 miles.Opposition Not everyone is eager to move forward with the project. A number of landowners have expressed concern that pumping of water in that area will negatively impact their own wells.In a letter from David Endorf of C&D Endorf Farm, Endorf wrote, “I am very concerned that heavy pumping (1000 to 1500 gpm) from the proposed wells will have an adverse effect on my well, my ability to irrigate and produce crops, and eventually devalue my property. It is just not right for this valued water resource to be mined, exported 14 or more miles away, and then sold.”Endorf noted, “Within 3.5 miles to the north, we have our home, domestic well, and also own and operate seven farms with high capacity irrigation wells. This proposed well field could affect water availability in these wells, and my property values in the long term.”Gpm is “gallons per minute.”Endorf told FJN, “The long-term answer to Fairbury’s water quality problem is to build a nitrate water treatment plant using the current sources of water.”According to Project Manager Mary Renn, one reason for not building a treatment plant is cost, “Based on literature values for treatment of constructing a nitrate plant (without going to bid) based upon the quantity of water the City of Fairbury and its outlying customers currently use will run approximately $10,000,000. In addition to the initial cost of construction, there is an on-going annual cost to maintain the plant and dispose of the nitrates estimated at approximately $350,000-$500,000 per year. The cost of a nitrate plant and maintenance thereof will likely result in a higher user (customer) cost as compared to securing a new water source. In the event treatment were ever needed, a larger customer base coupled with a higher water quality to begin with will lower the operation and maintenance costs.”Renn also point out, “The new well site would not be classified as ground water under the influence of surface water and the treatment requirements are less restrictive.”Full ReportFJN has not yet seen the full report prepared by Miller & Associates but will be speaking to representatives of the Little Blue NRD later this week to review it..

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