A ruling in Walworth County could expand the Department of Natural Resources' authority in locating new municipal wells.
The court decision involves the Walworth County community of
East Troy and neighboring Lake Beulah. Other communities at odds over water rights are watching the ruling, expected in a couple weeks.
Residents of the upscale Lake Beulah say the D-N-R should be
allowed to consider potential damage to area streams, lakes and
wetlands if East Troy is allowed to construct a nearby
shallow-aquifer well.
East Troy is looking for a freshwater source away from its gas
stations, a landfill and industrial areas.
Communities in southeastern Wisconsin are tapping into aquifers
near lakes and streams as clean sources of drinking water.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
