Thursday, September 30, 1999
Report: Mason draining aquifer
City official disputes finding
BY KEVIN ALDRIDGE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MASON — A 264 percent jump in water use this decade by Ohio's second-fastest growing city is draining one of the state's richest water sources, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
A draft report by ODNR says the water level of the Shaker Creek Buried Valley Aquifer has been declining since the 1970s and points to Mason as the primary reason.
ODNR began an investigation in August after several people in neighboring Lebanon complained that their wells were going dry because of Mason's overconsumption — not because of the drought, as Mason officials have suggested.
James Raab, a hydrogeologist with ODNR's division of water, said the aquifer's water table has dropped 27 feet since 1970 and 11.5 feet since 1990. He said Mason's increased use has placed a tremendous strain on the aquifer's ability to recharge itself.
“Sand and gravel wells throughout Ohio were about 3 feet below normal due to the drought,” Mr. Raab said Wednesday.
“We factored those numbers out of our calculations and the water table was still very low. I think it is reasonable to say the remaining decline in the water table can be attributed to pumping in the area.”
However, Mason officials continue to point to the drought, as they did when unhappy Lebanon resident Don Von Holle showed up at Monday night's council meeting to complain about his dry well. They also criticized ODNR's report, saying it contained several inaccuracies.
“I don't know how ODNR was able to come up with some of their figures when they never even contacted or consulted the city of Mason's experts on this report,” said Mayor Betty Davis. “Now I'm not saying the city is right, wrong or indifferent when it comes to this matter; but I don't think we can attribute any fault or blame to ourselves until we've had our own experts look at this.”
The draft report is undergoing final revisions, although ODNR officials indicated that no major changes are expected.
Mason operates six wells extending about 130 feet underground into the Shaker Creek Aquifer. These wells are capable of pumping up to 6.1 million gallons of ground water per day.
According to ODNR's report, Mason has gradually increased its average daily use (1.42 million gallons per day in 1990 to 3.75 million gallons per day in 1999) each year for the past 10 years. The report showed Mason's average daily flow for July was 2.58 million gallons more than it was for the same period in 1998.
“There is no indication that the water table will stabilize if pumping continues to increase at these rates,” Mr. Raab said.
“For the water table to reach a stable level, Mason would have to either cut back their consumption or not increase it for an extended period of time.”
Mr. Raab said Mason's agreement with Cincinnati Water Works to supply an additional 5 million gallons of water per day starting this winter could be just the break the aquifer needs.
But it might not be soon enough for Robert Buffenbarger, a Lebanon resident who estimates that by November he'll be staring at a dry hole. Mr. Buffenbarger, whose 80-foot well also taps into the aquifer, said getting extra water from Cincinnati will do little to solve the problem if Mason continues expanding at its present rate.
“For years, we've been complaining to Mason to get their residents to conserve water, but they won't listen,” Mr. Buffenbarger said. “Now, we're paying the price.”
Ms. Davis said the city has not placed any water restrictions on its residents primarily because the water supply is plentiful.
However, she said Mason has set its water rates for customers at such a level where it promotes conservation.
Mason's population has risen from 11,450 in 1990 to an estimated 18,850 in 1998. And there's no sign the growth will stop. City engineers project Mason will grant permits for at least 600 new homes by year's end.
Rapid development not only strains an aquifer's water supply, it also in creases the potential for contamination, said Ned Pennock, manager of the Miami Conservancy District's ground water program.
Another concern is that paving over land makes it harder for an aquifer to recharge — or replenish — itself, he said.
The Shaker Creek Aquifer is part of the Great Miami Buried Valley Aquifer system and connects with the Little Miami Aquifer, said Mr. Pennock.
While the Great Miami Buried Valley Aquifer is feeling the pinch from the drought, it hasn't caused major problems, Mr. Pennock said. At some sites, the water table has decreased 1to 2 feet. In contrast, the area's last severe drought in 1988 saw some water levels drop 4 to 14 feet, he said.
Still, water suppliers are concerned. In 1988, the drought actually started with a dry 1997. Should the drought continue — especially during the fall and winter, the prime recharging period for aquifers — cities may face some serious problems, said Mike Hallfrisch, a mapping unit supervisor with the ODNR.
Residential wells could dry up, and cities could impose water-use restrictions.
Wednesday's rain nudged September's total to .42 inches, easily out of the running for the driest month ever but still far below the average rainfall of 2.88 inches. The Tristate is seven inches down for the year.
Richelle Thompson contributed to this report.
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