Newman Lake Water Line Debated
Nearly 100 people turned out on the coldest night of the winter to debate a hotly contested proposal to extend public water to the west shore of Newman Lake.
Opinion at the Monday meeting before the Spokane County Boundary Review Board was split almost evenly.
About half the crowd at Mountain View Middle School supported the proposal, which would bring a 12-inch water main from the Moab Irrigation District to 230 acres spotted with permanent and seasonal homes.
Many of the proponents said public water is desperately needed on the west shore, where some wells have failed health tests and there are no fire hydrants.
Kurt Marquiss told the review board he fears for the health of his two small children, who bathe in water he draws from the lake.
The lake water is known to carry bacteria, including giardia.
“This is a health issue, not a development issue, not an environmental issue,” said Marquiss, who doesn’t chlorinate the lake water he uses.
Officials from Fire District 13 and the state Department of Health also urged the review board to allow Moab to extend the water lines, saying public health was at risk.
“We do need hydrants and improved fire flow wherever we can get it,” said Tim Halloran, a District 13 commissioner.
Many in the crowd opposed the annexation.
Extending public water would lead to increased development on the west shore, they said, which would lead to further health and safety problems.
About half the proposed annexation area is undeveloped.
More people mean more leaking septic tanks and more storm-water runoff degrading the already poor quality of the lake water, opponents said.
It also would spoil the rural atmosphere, they said.
Lake resident Wendy Burley, who opposes the extension, accused proponents of using scare tactics.
“I think this health issue and this scaring of people is excessive,” said Burley, who’s lived at the lake for almost 50 years and said she’s never heard of anyone getting sick from the water.
She added that people who choose to live in an outlying area should be willing to put up with the problems inherent in a rural lifestyle, like inconsistent water supplies.
Review board members did not make a decision on the annexation proposal Monday.
They will take more testimony on the plan at a Feb. 12 meeting.
The board may render a decision that night or deliberate for a week or so before voting.
, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Annexation hearings People interested in offering testimony on the proposed Moab Irrigation District annexation of land along the west shore of Newman Lake may do so at hearings set for 3:30 and 6 p.m. on Feb. 12. The hearings take place in the downstairs meeting room of the Spokane County Public Works Building, 1026 W. Broadway.