New water district on November ballot

Submitted photo

The Scott City Historic Preservation Society hosted a Hobo Jamboree, Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27 as a fundraiser for the Scotty City Historic Preservation Museum Fund. The Jamboree was a ghostly murder mystery performed by the Scott City Players. ÊFrom left to right is Rick Sheren, Chris Morrill, Donna Sheren, Mattie Swanner, Connie Miller, Don Swanner (seated), Kay Uhrhan, Alan Pendergrass and Chuck Goodale. ÊThe play was held at the Scott City Assembly of God Church. ÊIf you would like to become a member of the Historic Preservation Society or would enjoy acting with the Scott City Players please notify Carolyn Pendergrass at 573-264-3187.

By Mark Bliss ~ Southeast Missourian

In Judy Foeste's rural neighborhood, water softeners and filters are essential to make iron-laden well water drinkable.

"Otherwise, it tastes awful. It turns all of your sinks and commodes orange. It is hard on pipes," said Foeste, who lives near Highway 177 north of Cape Girardeau.

She and others in the Nell Holcomb area are tired of depending on shallow wells for their water. They're pushing for voters to establish a water district in the Nov. 6 election that could provide the rural area with a steady and better supply of water. It also would boost fire protection with installation of water lines and hydrants.

A simple majority is needed for passage of the measure, the only issue on the Cape Girardeau County ballot this November.

Even if the district is established, residents wouldn't have to sign up for the water service. They could continue to use their own wells.

Approval of the ballot measure would allow Foeste and others to form a five-member board of directors to run the water district and make decisions on building the water system. Board members would serve staggered terms of up to three years.

The initial board members include Foeste. She and 79 other residents in the area signed a petition to form the water district. Circuit Judge John Grimm approved the board members on Aug. 20, when he ordered the issue be placed on the ballot.

Fees yet to be calculated

The board could look at digging a deep well or contracting with another utility to provide water for the district. Any well water used in the system would be treated, she said.

Foeste said she hopes the water system can be financed through hookup fees, which have yet to be calculated.

Engineering and construction could take two years.

Foeste and other supporters are paying the $918 cost of the election, which involves paper ballots cast at Nell Holcomb School.

The district would extend from the south entrance of Trail of Tears State Park to the Rolling Hills subdivision along Highway 177 just north of the city of Cape Girardeau. It also would run from the Burlington Northern railroad tracks along the Mississippi River on the east to almost Route Y on the west.

It's a region of rolling farmland and forested hills and includes the Egypt Mills area.

Foeste estimates the region is home to about 2,500 residents. The area has just over 700 voters.

"The majority of us are experiencing problems with our wells," said Foeste.

Some residents with older wells are experiencing water shortages, she said. One man recently paid $18,000 to have a 500-foot well dug.

Fire district in favor

East County Fire District officials want voters to approve the water district. Currently, the volunteer fire department has to haul its own water or pump it out of creeks, ponds or swimming pools to fight fires.

Hydrants would help. Still, firefighters won't be able to hook their hoses directly to the hydrants because the water lines couldn't handle such a quick drawdown. "If we hooked on, we would collapse the pipe," said Gary Fornkahl, president of the fire district board.

But firefighters would be able to fill a portable water tank from hydrants and then pump out of the tank, he said.

A water system would provide a constant source of water. "It would always be there," said Fornkahl. Improved fire protection also would lower insurance costs for the rural residents, he said.

Nell Holcomb School could hook onto the water system. The rural elementary school currently uses well water, which must be tested every month to meet state requirements. But the Rev. Mark Martin, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church at Egypt Mills, said the school board hasn't discussed the idea.

Martin said he and several other school board members want to see the district established. "It would be good to have a stable supply of water," he said. "You do have wells that are getting old."

Martin said there's an increasing need for a good supply of water as more and more homes are being constructed in the area.

If voters approve the measure, it would become the fourth rural water district to be established in Cape Girardeau County.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123