County launches water study

Under the direct supervision of the Wyoming Water Development Office (WWD), Crook County has launched a year-long study to find a solution to the water issues experienced over the last couple of years in the area around Carlile. The study will investigate possibilities such as the formation of one or more water districts to tap into the Gillette Madison water system.

Kevin Boyce, project manager for WWD, described the history of the project.

“This really began when the wells around Carlile had these problems,” he said, referring to the issue in 2017 when wells in the area unexpectedly ran dry or acidic.

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) launched a study into the problem, the results of which were recently released. The conclusions included that Gillette’s city well testing had not reduced water levels and acid stimulation had not lowered the pH levels; however, it is unknown whether construction and test discharges on the Madison water system impacted water in the Carlile area.

“In their study, they were able to establish what occurred, but not how it occurred,” said Boyce, noting that it would take more resources to answer that question.

“We didn’t want to get started here till that study was made public,” Boyce said. He reminded the county commissioners that legislative changes this year open the way for Crook County residents to hook on to the Gillette system.

The study’s purpose will be to identify the geology, hydrogeology and historical groundwater development in the area; to establish a baseline of groundwater quality; and to develop and evaluate concepts to provide safe drinking water to area residents near Carlile.

Sheridan company DOWL has been contracted to perform the study, which will incorporate over 200 permitted wells within an approximately six-mile radius. Public engagement will be of utmost importance, said representatives from the company, to identify the area or areas in which people may be interested in some sort of centralized water system.

The study will begin by looking at the makeup of the groundwater in the area and its quality, mostly following the DEQ’s lead in sampling to create “defensible data”. DOWL will then source supply alternatives and look at well siting considerations should the conclusion of the study suggest it would be best to dig a new well for nearby residents.

The alternative to a new well would, of course, be a connection to the Gillette system. The study will take existing infrastructure into account, such as the available pipelines that could be hooked into.

Ultimately, the study will compile recommendations and cost estimates in a decision matrix that takes into account such things as water sources, long term considerations, funding plans, user costs and transmission costs.

Calling it “the people’s project”, representatives said the first task will be to develop a stakeholder list as engagement is paramount to the success of a project of this nature. It will be necessary to identify people in the area who are interested, have water needs and are willing to come together and contribute.

This summer and fall, DOWL will perform sampling in the area, followed by an evaluation of supply options in winter and spring, preparation of the draft report in September, 2020 and submittal of the final report in December, 2020. Public meetings and outreach will be ongoing during this time whenever meaningful information is available to share.