Dingman approves three new wells

By Anya Tikka
DINGMAN TOWNSHIP — No less than three well permits came up at the Oct. 20 Dingman Township supervisors' meeting. Usually, they are few and far between, said town clerk and treasurer Karen Kleist.

Timbercrest Builders requested permission to build a second well for a geothermal installation, just in case one well wasn’t enough.

Supervisors' Chair Thomas Mincer said geothermal is popular in other parts of the country, but not many have been seen here yet. He said he expects to see more geothermal installations in future.

Sewage and zoning Officer Chris Wood questioned Paul Szostnik, representing Timbercrest Builders, about the geothermal installation and number of wells it requires.

“We haven’t seen one before," Wood said. "It takes water from the well, and discharges to another?”

Szostnik confirmed it’s an open loop system, exactly as Wood described it.

Mincer clarified that was a conditional request. If the primary well reaches a certain depth, a second well might not be needed, he said.

After Supervisor Dennis Brink and Wood asked for more technical clarification.

Szostnik said no chemicals are used. The system just takes and discharge water.

The supervisors granted his request.

The second and third requests for wells were from Mary Cuddehe and John Laucella. Both want to add a second well to their properties.

Cuddehe’s property has an old hand pump well not used to service the home or human consumption. It's for garden use.

John Laucella wants a new well for two houses now using one well and one septic so that they can have one well each.

Wood and the supervisors agreed the location would not pose a problem if the owner wanted to put in a separate septic in the future. The request was approved.

Wood said the board was only approving the concept, and that further setback systems would have to be checked to ensure proper distances between septic and well.

Establishing groundwater levels

Water and well issues also came up with a letter from Michelle Ulmer of Pike County Conservation District. She asked supervisors for a letter of support to establish groundwater baselines for Pike County, which would involve measuring 24 wells.

Mincer explained that the Conservation District program runs out this year.

“They would like to get a letter of support for additional three years,” he said. “I certainly think it’s important we keep an eye on groundwater level, so we have a baseline when large communities come here. I recommend we send the letter.”

Supervisor Dennis Brink agreed. The letter will be sent.