INDIANOLA — After reviewing a copy of the first groundwater monitoring report released by White Horse and Kitsap County, the Friends of Kitsap Creek aren’t exactly gushing over the results. The group had already expressed concerns over the nitrate levels in several of the wells and remain worried about the future of their water quality.
The report, which was completed on Nov. 30, 2006, is the first released since the Friends of Kitsap Creek stated their anxieties that chemicals from the soon to open White Horse golf course would contaminate their wells.
“There are a couple of basic issues that we are concerned about,” said Friend of Kitsap Creek member Joe Lubischer. “One, the lack of compliance with the monitoring plans the county set up involving turf, surface and groundwater. Two, communication has been difficult. This plan was approved last summer and we have had to call (Kitsap County Department of Community Development) numerous times to get the reports.”
The group specifically mentioned concerns over the nitrate levels in three of the six wells that supply Indianola its potable water. While small amounts would not harm the population Lubischer said, several wells show high levels that many residents find worrisome.
“Our plan is to go through each concern carefully to determine if they are valid and what action we should take if they are,” said Kitsap County Development Engineering Department manager Merita Trohimovich. “We haven’t had an opportunity to look through them yet, but we will do so soon.”
White Horse developer Bob Screen maintains he has followed the plan worked out in July 2006 closely, and there should be no reason for concern from the Friends of Kitsap Creek.
“No chemicals have ever been used on the turf of the White Horse Golf Club,” he said. “The list of chemicals tested for in the October 2006 groundwater monitoring report to Kitsap County was expanded so that the consulting hydrologist and the county could get as complete and accurate a picture of current conditions, not because those chemicals had been used, and not because we planned to use them. This action was required by the approved plan.”
The reaction sent out by the Friends of Kitsap Creek addressed this as well, noting that several chemicals had been added to the list of chemicals that would potentially be allowed in their water. Trohimovich said the DCD will review these concerns as soon as possible, and may even have a response by next week.
“We plan to go through them quickly, but also be thorough,” she said.
“We haven’t received any formal response from DCD yet,” Lubischer said. “We’re also hoping the (Kitsap County) Health District will look at our concerns.”
The Friends of Kitsap Creek intend to continue working with the county to alleviate these issues, Lubischer said.
“The nature of people in Indianola is pretty mellow,” he said. “We’ll work with DCD to take care of our concerns. What really should have happened was the monitoring should have started before any construction began.”
