Moses Lake votes on well drilling tonight

Ordinance prohibits exempt drilling within city

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake City Council will consider the adoption of an ordinance prohibiting the drilling of exempt wells within city limits tonight.

The council voted 5-1 for the ordinance during the first reading at the last council meeting.

Councilmember James Liebrecht voted against the proposal.

The council has amended the ordinance to exclude the limitations to drilling wells in the Urban Growth Area around Moses Lake.

Council votes on adoption of the changed version tonight after a second reading.

At the last meeting a developer said requiring new developments to hook up to the city water system in the Urban Growth Area could cost thousands of dollars. In some cases the water and sewer lines for a development would be required to extend several miles.

City staff prepared the ordinance prohibiting drilling within city limits to protect the city's water supply.

City Attorney Jim Whitaker said the city water levels dropped several feet, possibly due to private wells pulling from the same source.

— Staff report