TICONDEROGA — Hydrogeologists have found seven places in Ticonderoga where industrial wells could be drilled to feed the public-water system.
The town can no longer use Gooseneck Pond and Lake George as drinking-water sources, because the state now says any uncovered surface water source runs the risk of contamination.
Those seven sites were recently narrowed down to three that could be optimal, Ticonderoga Town Supervisor Debra Malaney said.
“We’re closing in on an underground water source,” she said. “We’ve had discussions with three residents before we can do a test drill on their properties. We’re very optimistic we can find enough water to supply the entire town.”
Cost of the project to switch to wells is estimated at $15 million, she said.
“We have $4 million (in grants) so far towards the project. We’re still trying to collect enough income surveys to qualify for hardship relief (funding).”
At one point, the town even had Ticonderoga High School students from the local-government class going door-to-door to ask residents to fill out surveys, but that was only partially successful, Malaney said.
She said a survey firm was hired to finish the required income effort.
More than 50 percent of the 1,681 surveys have been filled out, but criteria for state grants essential for funding the new system requires a minimum of 90 percent residential and business participation.
The survey work is continuing, and the next step is to drill test wells, the supervisor said.
“This would replace both Gooseneck and Lake George,” Malaney said. “We’re using them now under consent orders” with the State Department of Health.
She said the Department of Health has given the town until 2015 to bring a new water source into operation.
Email Lohr McKinstry:
lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com
