SAGINAW COUNTY -- Around 100 Birch Run Township residents turned out for an informational meeting Tuesday night on the possibilty of Frankenmuth may drill for water in Birch Run Township.On hand were representatives from the two firms conducting the drilling and testing of wells, a representative from the Michigan Department of Environmental Equality, Frankenmuth City Manager Charles Graham and Birch Run Township officials.
The city of Frankenmuth is looking into four options for an alternative water source. Frankenmuth City Manager Charles Graham says the city is looking into treating water from the Cass River, riverbank filtration which is another type of water treatment, re-negotiationg water rates with Saginaw and drilling for water in Birch Run Township. Graham says the search started after the city of Saginaw starting hiking up water rates.
"The cost compared to what we would be able to do if we could do our own water is a million dollar difference and that's why we're looking at this as an option," said Graham.
Frankenmuth has already drilled two test wells on the northeast end of Birch Run on land near Gera Road just north of Rathbun.
Birch Run resident James Zoellner, who lives near the testing site says he went to the meeting to find out how a well that would supply all of Frankenmuth would affect his private well.
"What happens? What's my alternative if the well goes dry? How long will it take for me to try and get water from Birch Run?"
Todd Feenstra of Tritium Inc, one of the companies doing the well testing says they are testing quality and quantity of water and to also see how a well field will affect private wells.
"We're not going to build a well field if it drains the aquifer. That's harmful for everyone in the area. "
Test results are expected back in four weeks and that's when Frankenmuth will decide what course to take. Water is considered a state source so the only approval Frankemuth would need is that of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
