TUSCOLA COUNTY (WJRT) -
(07/16/12) - A number of residents in Tuscola County are really hoping they
get decent rainfall sooner than later because wells are drying up, but the dry
weather is not the only reason some homeowners have no water.
The issue takes us to village of Gagetown in the northeastern corner of
Elmwood Township.
No question its been dry for awhile, you can tell by the way a lot of lawns
look.
But what if, during this hot spell, you had no running water?
The dust is flying into the air in Tuscola County's Elmwood Township where
there has been little rainfall this summer.
"This is a very dry year," says Robert Guza.
Guza says that's not the only reason wells are drying up in this area. His
well went dry last summer.
"Forty wells last year, who knows, I don't think we can get 40 wells this
year, because there are not many left," Guza says.
Guza and other residents say the main reason the wells are drying up is the
irrigation of farm fields in Elmwood Township. In particular, Ziehm Farms, which
has about 400 acres in the area.
"He's watering, constantly, he even waters when it rains," Guza said.
Chris Ziehm of Ziehm Farms says he believes the main reason many of the wells
are drying up is because of the dry stretch of weather, going back to this past
winter. But he has also been helping homeowners with some of the financial cost
for either repairing or drilling a new well.
One homeowner we talked to did not want to be identified, but his well is
dry, no running water. He's been getting water from a neighbor. He will
need a new well at the cost of about $7,000. Guza has been talking to local
legislators to see what can be done and has even put together a map to show the
number of wells that have been affected. Guza has no problem with water now, but
he believes that could change again.
"Our biggest concern is he is going to ruin our water system," Guza said.
We did talk to Chris Graff, the Elmwood Township supervisor about the water
problem Monday, but he said at this time, he has no comment on the matter.
