County supports water treatment program
Staff reporter
Delores Dalke, mayor of Hillsboro, presented a copy of a written report Monday to the Marion County Commission addressing concerns about the algae at Marion Reservoir and asked the commission to support efforts to treat the water at the reservoir.
The report was presented to congressional members last week in an effort by the City of Hillsboro to draw attention to the water situation. Dalke asked the commission to contact the Kansas Water Commission and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to ask the entities to allow treatment of reservoir water, continue funding of 319 grant funds for water conservation, and halt farming on ground located near the reservoir to provide a buffer.
Included in the report was a brochure detailing information about chemicals that could be used to treat the water in the reservoir and that have been used in other states.
Dalke pointed out the reservoir attracts visitors that bring in more than $5 million in revenue annually to Marion County.
David Brazil, county sanitarian, agreed with Dalke of the seriousness of the water situation and "highly recommended" the commission signing a letter of support.
"The Corps appropriately addressed water contact issues Memorial weekend," Brazil said. "However, there are too many entities (involved in this) and no one has taken the lead."
Dalke said Hillsboro City Administrator Steve Garrett was sending information to Oklahoma senators since Corps central office is in Oklahoma. Dalke added Garrett had contacts in Oklahoma.
Commissioner Howard Collett asked if a proclamation or resolution was needed to address this issue. County clerk Carol Maggard and commissioner Bob Hein agreed a letter of support, at this time, would be appropriate.
Brazil said he was concerned about treating the water.
"There are varied opinions on when and how to treat the reservoir water," Brazil said. Sometimes the treatment is worse than the problem, he added.
"When the algae is killed, all of the toxins are released," Brazil said, "so care has to be given.
"I don't think this is just a Marion County issue," Brazil continued. "Other reservoirs have this problem but we're more aware of it."
Commission chairman Leroy Wetta suggested either Maggard or Brazil draft the letter. Maggard said she did not have the information. Wetta then asked Brazil to draft a letter of support for next week's meeting.
