The Detroit News
Irvin L. Jackson The Detroit News
December 13, 2000
GREEN OAK TOWNSHIP — A large well that could supply water to all of southeastern Livingston County eventually has been given a clean bill of health.
A preliminary study conducted by the Livingston Community Water Authority shows that a well owned by local developer George Bacalis could meet the area's water quantity needs and meets federal and state cleanliness standards. Authority Chairman Christopher Ward said the report opens the door to negotiations for buying the well from Bacalis.
But Authority Board member Richard Gienapp said it could take a long time before lines and pumps to serve the communities that want the water can be built, and in the meantime he is looking for a way for the city of Brighton to sell water to Green Oak, Hamburg and Brighton townships.
"Even if George's well is the best long-term solution, it probably isn't going to solve some of the immediate needs," said Gienapp, a Brighton councilman.
"I am meeting with city engineers and some of the city administration to discuss how we would go about proposing a sale of water to the authority on a short-term basis."
Gienapp said the city has enough water to sell to the communities, and Brighton has sold water to customers outside the city in the past. He said usually the city charges 10-15 percent above cost for such services.
Bacalis discovered and tapped the well at Rickett and Winans Lake roads.
It's believed to be one of the state's largest ground water wells, producing 8.5 million gallons daily. Its discovery led to the formation of the water authority.
The next steps "depend on Mr. Bacalis and how reasonable he will be," Ward said. "As local governments, we can't afford the prices that businesses would pay."
Bacalis could not be reached Tuesday.
Gienapp said if the authority does purchase the well, it must then consider the costs of a treatment plant, distribution lines and individual connections to customers.
"The first gallon of water that we get from George's well is going to cost somebody $8 million," Gienapp said. "With the flow of water we can build a flow of dollars that will allow us to tackle some of the big infrastructure problems."
Authority officials have repeatedly said they were exploring other water sources. But the new health clearance increases the chances that Bacalis' site is the best option.
"The money will be the issue," Ward said. "All the other issues that seemed to be in the way are out of the way now."
© 2000 The Detroit News. via Bell&Howell Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved
