Planning board approves a change sought by water companies to reduce setback
By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor
The Wakulla County Planning Commission voted last week to recommend that the county’s regulations on wellhead protection be amended to reduce a development buffer from 300 feet to 100 feet after representatives from local water companies said the buffer would create difficulties.
The ordinance proposes a 1,000-foot buffer from wellheads for any toxic or hazardous substances, and 300-foot development buffer.
The planning commission meeting on Monday, Dec. 4, was attended by representatives of Talquin Electric, City of Sopchoppy, and the Panacea Area Water System – three of the primary water providers in Wakulla County.
John Hallas of Talquin told planning commissioners that the 300-foot buffer on development would mean the wellhouse building would have to be away from the well. He also noted that it would basically require a 10-acre parcel to put in a well, and they are extremely difficult to find.
Walt Dickson of PAWS noted a proposed location for a new wellhead in Medart is within 275-feet of the elementary school. It was noted as well that two of the Panacea wells are more than 50 years old.
