Raspberry  Falls  Community

Ferry  Road,  in  Loudoun  County,  Virginia206  approved  4-­‐6  bedroom  homesPublic  Golf  Course  communityNow  served  by  a  single  well  shared  with  Public  Golf  Course

Contact  People:Holly  Krauss   hkrauss70@aol.comMitchell  Zuckerman   mitchell.zuckerman@sothebys.com

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The  Raspberry  Falls  Development  is  approximately1  mile  away  from  the  Town  of  Leesburg  limits

3-­‐D  Image  of  Limestone  GeologyIssues  Specific  to  Water  Wells  Located  in  Limestone  Geology  Because  surface  water  can  rapidly  enter  into  the  groundwater  system  and  move  quickly  through  channels  created  in  the  limestone  rock,  private  drinking  water  wells  located  in  karst  aquifers  are  more  susceptible  to  contamination  than  those  in  other  types  of  aquifers.  http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=2353#issues

Types  of  Pollution  that  can  Influence  Limestone  Geology  Water  WellsBecause  of  the  rapid  transport  of  water  from  the  ground  surface  in  karst  terrain,  there  is  a  high  risk  of  pollution.  Streams  and  surface  runoff  that  enter  sinkholes  or  caves  bypass  the  natural  filtration  through  the  soil  and  provide  a  direct  conduit  for  contaminants  to  enter  the  groundwater.  Because  groundwater  in  karst  aquifers  travels  quickly,  contaminants  can  be  transmitted  quickly  to  wells  and  other  drinking  water  sources  in  the  areas  connected  to  that  aquifer.

Two  main  types  of  pollution  that  can  influence  karst  geology  water  wells.  Nonpoint-­‐source  PollutionNonpoint-­‐source  pollution  comes  from  a  widely  distributed  source,  and  is  not  easily  identified.  It's  also  called  "runoff  pollution."  Types  of  nonpoint-­‐source  pollution  can  include:-­‐Runoff  from  golf  courses,  roads,  and      parking  lots  -­‐Soil  washed  from  farm  fields  &  construction  sites  -­‐Animal  waste  from  feedlots  -­‐Waste  from  failing  [septic]  drainfields  -­‐Pesticides  from  lawns  -­‐Trash  dumped  in  sinkholes,  and  -­‐Fertilizers

Point-­‐Source  Pollution  Point-­‐source  pollution  enters  into  the  groundwater  supply  or  aquifer  through  an  easily  identified  distinct  location  through  a  distinct  route.  Most  of  the  pollution  that  enters  karst  aquifers  will  be  from  nonpoint-­‐source  pollution;  however,  there  are  some  instances  where  pollution  may  occur  from  point-­‐source  pollution.  Potential  types  of  point-­‐source  pollution  that  may  occur  are:-­‐Wastewater    -­‐Leaking  fuel  storage  tanks

Abandoned  wells,  old  hand-­‐dug  farm  wells,  and  cisterns  often  represent  direct  connections  between  the  surface  and  the  karst  aquifer.  Abandoned  wells  should  be  properly  plugged  with  clean  rock  (in  the  water  zone)  and  sand-­‐cement  grout  (to  the  surface)  to  prevent  runoff  from  migrating  directly  to  the  groundwater.  1/24/2011 3

Water  Source

Distribution  System

Treatment

Chlorine  Disinfection  by  injection  of  Sodium  Hypochlorite  prior  to  

storage

Pumps,  Pump  Facilities,  and  Controls

Raspberry  Falls  Community  Water  SystemDIAGRAM  OF  TREATMENT  AND  DISTRIBUTION

Undersized  40,000  gal  Storage  Tank  

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Bacterial  Contamination  Spikes  2008-­‐2009   Raspberry  Falls  Primary  Community  Well  #2

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To  our  Delegates  of  the  Virginia  General  AssemblyFrom  the  Raspberry  Falls  Community,  Leesburg,  VirginiaDraft  Amendment  to  15.2-­‐2110  of  the  Virginia  Code  

"D.   If  any  component  well  in  an  existing community  water  system,  which  has  more  than  50  connections  to  individual  residences  and  is  located  in  a  karst  geology  area  of  the  Commonwealth,  is found  to  have   been  determined  by  the  Virginia  Department  of  Health to  have Groundwater  Under  the  Direct  Influence  Of  Surface  Water  ("GUDI") contamination or  to  be  the  source  of  non  potable  water,  or  to  pose  any  threat  of  contraction  or  spread  of  any  infectious,  contagious  or  dangerous  disease, or  to  have  failed  in  any  other  way and  further,  if  any  water  main  or other  source  for  a  Municipal  System piped  water  supply is  located  within  3 miles  of  a  community with  a  GUDI  or failed  component  well  as  defined  above,  then  in  the  interests  of  public  health,  safety  and  welfare,  all  users and/or  the  service  provider  operator  of  such  existing  community  water  system  shall  be  entitled to  connect  to  said water  main   or  Municipal  System source  of  piped  public  water  to  the  community.   Said  users  and/or  the  service  provider  operator  of  the  existing  community water system  may  be  charged  a reasonable fee  for  the  connection  to  the  water  main or  the  Municipal  System,  comparable  to  such  fees  charged  to  other  users. If  the  service  provider  operator  of  the  community  water  system  and  the  operator  or  owner  of  the Municipal  System are  different  entities  or  located  in  different  localities,  the  owner/operator  of  said Municipal  System nevertheless shall  be  obligated  to provide  water,  without  objection, subject  to an  agreement  for reasonable  charges  for  the  water  provided  from  the  Municipal  System  source based  on  the  reasonable  cost  of  providing  said  central  piped  water.   Homeowners  in  a  karst  geology  area  of  the  Commonwealth  who  rely  on  private  wells  within  the  service  area  of  any  community  with  an  existing  community  water  system  component  well  which  is  found  to  be  GUDI  or  to  have  failed  as  described  above,  shall  have  the  same  rights,  privileges  and  obligations  as  users  of  the  community  water  system.   A  special  tax  district  may  be  established  in  order  to  finance  any  construction  or  other  costs,  charges  or  fees  associated  with  the  provision  of  water  under  this  section  of  the  Code."1/24/2011 7

"It's  like  a  sponge  with  holes,"  said  Alex  Blackburn  of  the  county's  Department  of  Building  and  Development,  adding  that  many  areas  are  susceptible  to  collapse  and  that  underground  passageways  can  carry  pollutants  into  neighboring  wells.  

Don  Michael,  a  well  driller  whose  bits  have  pierced  area  house  sites,  said:  "It's  like  a  maze  underneath  there.  Water  travels  so  fast  it  doesn't  have  a  chance  to  get  purified.  A  cavern  can  then  fill  in  with  a  pastelike  mud,  thick  as  mashed  potatoes  -­‐-­‐ the  residue  of  dissolved  rock  that  doesn't  get  carried  off  with  the  water."         http://www.washingtonpost.com/

Digging  into  history  of  Loudoun's  Limestone  Overlay  DistrictSunday,  June  6,  2010  

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Q.  Where  did  the  groundhog  theory  come  from,  what  are  their  qualifications,  and  explain  how  a  groundhog  hole  is  acting  as  a  conduit  for  bacteria  entering  the  water  table?A. There  are  several  sinkholes  in  the  Raspberry  subdivision.  Many  of  these  

sinkholes  have  groundhog  holes  in  them.  We  have  no  idea  how  complex  the  warrens  are  and  how  many  groundhogs  are  in  them.  They  are,  however,  in  sinkholes  -­-­ the  depressions  that  accumulate  water  and  can  act  as  direct  conduits  to  the  groundwater.  Rain  events  could  very  easily  wash  pollution  from  animal  droppings  or  decaying  carcasses  from  the  warrens  into  the  groundwater.  Licensed  hydrogeologists identified  the  groundhog  holes  and  have  clearly  stated  in  a  draft  report  that  they  are  a  potential  source  of  contamination.  The  closer  a  potential  pollution  source  is  to  a  well,  the  higher  the  likelihood  of  the  source  actually  impacting  the  well.  This  likelihood  is  increased  if  the  source  is  up  gradient  (generally  uphill)  of  the  well.  The  closest  groundhog  holes  are  within  a  few  hundred  feet  of  one  of  the  drinking  water  wells  for  Raspberry  Falls  and  are  up  gradient  from  Well  #1.

Loudoun  Water  Communications  That  Concern  Us

Source:    Loudounwater.org   Raspberry  Falls  Q&A

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Raspberry  Falls  Community  -­-­ Map

Yellow  small  tacks  =  identified  sinkholesSmall  red  =  septic  tanks  and  drainfields Big  White  Tack  =  Planned  RF  Well  FSmall  green  =  test  wellsSmall  blue  =  private  wellsBig  tacks  =  community  wells,  golf  course  irrigation  wells,  plains  of  Raspberry  well,  community  waste  sys

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Location  of  Nine  (9)DecayingBuffaloCarcassesonWright  FarmProperty

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Location  of  Nine  (9)DecayingBuffalo

Carcasseson

Wright  FarmPropertyFeb  2010

Visible  Sinkhole

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Loudoun  Water  Communications  That  Concern  UsINCIDENT:      In  February  2010,  residents  discovered  approximately  9  buffalo  carcasses  and  countless  skeletonsintentionally  dumped  at  the  border  between  the  Wright  Farm  and  Raspberry  Falls.  The  topography  was  wet  and  sloped  downward  from  the  dump  site  to  the  well  head  area  for  Well  #2.    We  made  the  assumption  that  the  products  of  the  decomposing  buffalo  were  draining  through  Karst  fissures  into  our  groundwater.    These  include  bacteria,  parasites,  toxic  chemicals   and  viruses  which  are  not  addressed  by  chlorine  disinfection  of  our  water  supply.  What  tests  did  Loudoun  Water  perform  to  check  for  such  pathogens?  Why  did  the  county  health  department  not  seek  a  

the  dead  animals  into  the  reservoir,  there  is  no  doubt  that  the  health  department  would  have  initiated  a  criminal  investigation.  How  is  this  incident  any  different?

BisonInformation  About  Bison  (March  11,  [2010]  5  pm)Loudoun  Water  is  aware  that a  farm  adjacent  to  the  Raspberry  Falls  property  lost  some  bison  over  the  winter  and  those  animals  were  left  to  die  on  the  property.  We  have  no  knowledge  how  or  why  they  died.  Animal  Control  investigated  and  "is  not  concerned." The  property  owner  plans  to  move  (or  has  moved)  the  carcasses  further  from  their  property  line.  Loudoun  Water  took  samples  of  raw  water  (prior  to  treatment)  and  finished  water  (after  treatment)  for  analysis  on  Tuesday  as  part  of  its  regular  weekly  monitoring  protocol.  Results  from  this  week  and  last  week  were  normal. The  Raspberry  Falls  well  water  is  safe  to  drink  and  use  as  normal.http://www.loudounwater.org/view.aspx?id=913&terms=raspberry

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Zone  of  Influence  Around  Raspberry  Falls  Primary  Well  #1

Golf  Club  leaf  composting  pile  of  more  than  500  cubic  feet  

The  self-­policing  effortsof  the  residents  ofRaspberry  Falls

resulted  in  the  clean-­upof  this  Golf  Course  Maintenance  area

Pile  of  Trash  and  Debris  

AtGolf  Course  Maintenance  

Facility

Loudoun  Water  Communications  That  Concern  Us

Q.  Where  is  the  contamination  coming  from?    

large  leaf/mulch  pile  on  the  golf  course  was  the  source  of  bacteria  finding  its  way  into  the  well,  since  once  that  pile  was  cleared  away,  we  saw  bacti  readings  return  to  normal.  But  a  subsequent  round  of  sampling  showed  a  similar  spike.  Geologists  believe  that  a  series  of  groundhog  holes  within  the  karst  are  one  of  the  possible  entry  points  for  rain  and  surface  water  that  naturally  carry  bacteria  within  them.

Source:    Loudounwater.org   Raspberry  Falls  Q&A

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RASPBERRY  FALLS  SHOULD  NOT  INVOLVE  PUTTING  MORE  HOLES  IN  THE  GROUND  

A  LONG  TERM  WATER  SOLUTION  FOR  

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Zone  of  Influence  Around  Raspberry  Falls  Primary  Well  #1

Sludge  Pit  (after  rainfall)

Sludge  Pit  from  Golf  Course  Maintenance  Vehicle  Washdown

Commercial  Dumpster

Commercial  Fuel  Storage  Tank

Sludge  Pit  (Close  up)

The  self-­‐policing  effortsof  the  residents  ofRaspberry  Falls

resulted  in  the  clean-­‐upof  this  Golf  course  

maintenancearea

Why is Well PW-­1 now considered GUDI when it wasn t before?The nature of water wells in karst geology is that any well could become GUDI over time. This situation is not unique to Raspberry Falls. Other water wells throughout the Shenandoah Valley have also become GUDI over time. More information about wells in karst geology is provided by Loudoun County government and can be found by clicking here.

Information  about  PW-­1  GUDI  DeterminationNovember  24,  2010Dear  Raspberry Falls  Resident,  On  November  23,  2010,  Loudoun  Water  was  officially  informed  by  the  Virginia  Department  of  Health  (VDH)  that  the  results  of  a  six-­month  series  of  tests  on  Well  PW-­Under  the  Direct  Influence  of  Surface  Water  or  GUDI. If  a  well  is  labeled  GUDI,  the  degree  of  treatment  required  for  the  untreated  water  is  the  same  as  that  required  for  untreated  water  pulled  from  a  surface  water  source. Therefore,  once  we  were  first  informed  by  VDH  on  November  16,  2010,  that  a  GUDI  determination  was  possible,  PW-­1  was  immediately  taken  out  of  service.        http://www.loudounwater.org/view.aspx?id=1251&terms=raspberry

http://www.loudounwater.org/view.aspx?id=99&terms=raspberry

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RF  Questions  for  Dr.  Wes  Kleene1. How  could  current  development  plans  based  on  community  well  systems  ever  have  

been  approved  for  a  community  in  a  known  Limestone  Karst  geology  when  the  county  hydrologist  recommended  against  it?  Over  10  years  ago,  the  potential  impacts  regarding  contaminated  drinking  water  were  already  known.  There  were  Identified  sources  of  contamination  within  Raspberry  Falls  and  adjacent  properties:    EPA  Impaired  Streams  (e-­‐coli  &  coliform),    sinkholes,  un-­‐lined  storm  water  ponds,  bison  farm,  dairy  farm,  private  alternative  septics,  chemical  storage  tanks,  medical  psychiatric  facility,  golf  course,  improperly  abandoned  wells,  waste  water  treatment  plant.

2. Initial  source  water  studies  for  well  1  &  well  2  specify  both  wells  at  high  risk  for  source  water  contamination.    Why  was  no  filtration  required?    Why  have  special  waivers  been  requested  and  issued  to  not  test  for  fertilizer,  poisons,  and  chemicals  knowing  we  live  on  a  golf  course  in  karst?

3. How  was  VDH  recently  able  to  determine  the  bison  farm  (riddled  with  sinkholes)  is  not  a  contamination  source  to  our  wells  as  it  is  about  700  feet  away  from  well  #2?    RF  hydrogeological  experts  have  noted  RF  wells  could  potentially  draw  contaminations  from  up  to  23  kilometers  away?

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RF  Questions  for  Dr.  Wes  Kleene4. What  steps  were  immediately  taken  when  Loudoun  Water  and  the  Virginia  Office  

of  Drinking  Water  became  aware  that  there  was  a  significant  spike  of  e-­‐coli  in  Raspberry  Falls  Well  #1  raw  water  in  2006?  When  specifically  was  the  event  recorded?    When  specifically  was  the  well  shut  down  from  further  production?    

issued?5. How  many  boil  water  alerts  have  been  issued?    Have  any  boil  water  alerts  not  been  

issued  when  they  should  have  been?    How  many,  when,  for  what  reason?6. When  was  the  public  golf  course  added  to  the  Raspberry  Falls  residential  water  

system?7. Why  did  the  golf  course  shut  down  their  drinking  water  well?8. When  the  public  golf  course  was  added  to  Raspberry  Falls  water  system  did  the  

number  of  users  reflect  the  type  and  frequency  of  testing?    How  has  Loudoun  Water  increased  type  and  frequency  to  reflect  the  true  number  of  people  living  in  Raspberry  Falls?    How  many  people  are  permitted  to  use  RF  drinking  water  wells?    How  many  people  are  actually  drinking  from  RF  wells,  including  public  facilities  and  commercial  useage?

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RF  Questions  for  Dr.  Wes  Kleene9. How  many  wells  have  been  drilled  in  Raspberry  Falls?    How  many  are  able  to  produce  a  viable  

drinking  water  source?10. Why  did  VDH  need  to  grant  a  special  exception  to  Loudoun  Water  for  well  F?    Has  well  F  been  

approved?    Has  Well  F  shown  indicators  of  surface  water  influence?    What  has  taken  so  long  to  bring  Well  F  on  line  as  it  was  promised  in  2009?

11. Aside  from  Well  F  and  well  #2  are  there  any  other  viable  drinking  water  sources  in  RF?    Any  that  do  not  require  a  special  exception?

12. Given  that  Well  #2  has  been  found  to  have  high  levels  of  algae,  consistent  coliform,  e-­‐ coli,  protozoa,  and  pollen;  why  is  an  immediate,  temporary  solution  not  already  in  place  to  provide  residents  with  safe  water  given  the  significant  possibility  that conditions  responsible  for  the  recent  VDH  Groundwater  Under  the  Direct  Influence  of  Surface  Water  (GUDI)  determination  may  apply  to  all  wells  within  our  community?

13. Since  well  #2  has  become  Raspberry  Falls  only  source  of  drinking  water  numerous  people  have  complained  of  GI  issues  and  rashes.    3  Calls  were  made  within  the  past  2  weeks  from  residents  to  Loudoun  County  Health  Department.    No  calls  have  been  returned,  why?

14. In  2008,  the  EPA  offered  to  perform  a  dye  trace  study  that  would  show  which  RF  wells  are  GUDI.  The  dye  trace  test  was  requested  in  November  2009,  with  an  expected  start  date  of  May  2010.    Why  has  Loudoun  Water  prevented  the  study?  Will  EPA  be  fully  supported  in  performing  the  critical  dye  trace  

Loudoun  County,  Loudoun  Water,  contractors,  builders,  business  owners,  land  owners,  or  any  of  their  representing  attorneys  attempting  to  manipulate  the  way  the  EPA  wants  to  conduct  their  study?

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RF  Questions  for  Dr.  Wes  Kleene15.      In  2009,  the  Virginia  Department  of  Health  (VDH)  declared  Raspberry  Falls  Well  #1  was  

not  GUDI  despite  clear  evidence  to  the  contrary.  Evidence  included  bacteria  and  algae  in  the  well  that  spiked  with  rain.  This  was  clear  evidence  that  surface  contamination  flows  through  karst  channels  into  the  groundwater  acquifer  without  being  filtered  by  soil  particles.  After  the  residents  of  the  Raspberry  Falls  community  sent  multiple  letters  to  the  VDH  in  2010  documenting  the  errors  of  the  2009  review,  VDH  reversed  itself  and  declared  the  well  GUDI.  In  2011,  VDH  and  Loudoun  Water  say  the  backup  well  #2  is  not  GUDI.  Given  the  statement  by  the  head  of  Loudoun  Water  that  wells  in  karst  may  become  polluted  over  time,  and  the  error  by  VDH  in  its  2009  finding,  knowing  well  #2  has  shown  e-­‐coli,  coliform,  algae  and  pollen,  why  should  we  believe  their  statement  that  well  #2  is  not  GUDI  ?

16.      In  January  2010,  LW  stated  it  would  add  a  UV  filter,  increase  the  capacity  of  the  storage  tank  and  make  the  fire  hydrants  operational.  More  than  a  year  has  passed.  Not  a  single  promised  improvement  has  been  made  and  our  primary  well  has  been  shut  down  due  to  bacterial  contamination.  Why  is  it  taking  so  long  when  our  health  is  at  risk?

17.      Why  are  Van  Metre  and  K.  Hovnanian  still  selling  homes  in  this  community  and  connecting  more  homes  to  the  community  well  water  system  when  it's  now  clear  the  current  community  well  system  is  overtaxed,  over  permitted  capacity,  contaminated,  unsustainable,  and  there  is  no  alternate  solution  in  place  yet?

18.    One  of  the  options  being  reviewed  is  construction  of  a  filtration  plant  for  the  community  well  system.  What  experience  does  Loudoun  Water  have  in  constructing  and  maintaining  such  a  plant?

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RF  Questions  for  Dr.  Wes  Kleene19.    Some  members  of  the  Loudoun  County  Board  of  Supervisors  have  declared  that  the  

Loudoun  County  Comprehensive  Plan  prohibits  extension  of  public  water  to  the  Raspberry  Falls  community.  We  have  read  the  plan  and  find  no  such  restriction.  Specifically  what  restriction  is  being  referenced?

20. The  Mayor  of  the  Town  of  Leesburg  says  she  will  not  extend  public  water  past  Leesburg  town  boundaries.  However,  the  Town  of  Leesburg  allowed  public  water  to  be  extended  to  the  Dupont  Equine  Center  outside  the  town  boundary  immediately  South  of  our  community.    Further,  the  Town  of  Leesburg  extended  water  utilities  to  the  newly  built  Tuscarora  High  School  (also  originally  outside  Town  boundaries)  which  is  located  1  mile  South  of  the  Raspberry  Falls  community.    Why  does  the  Town  of  Leesburg  make  exceptions  for  some  but  not  others?    Given  the  issues  of  public  health  associated  with  a  contaminated  water  supply,  why  is  a  special  exception  not  being  made  for  our  community?

21. Some  members  of  the  Loudoun  County  Board  of  Supervisors  have  stated  that  Raspberry  Falls  is  located  in  a  rural  district.  How  can  this  statement  be  true  since  the  County  approved  the  developer's  plan  in  1990  to  construct  a  golf  course  and  200  homes  on  primarily  1  acre  lots?  How  is  that  consistent  with  preserving  a  district  of  farms  and  horse  pastures?  If  the  goal  was  to  preserve  a  rural  district,  why  did  the  county  construct  a  large  new  high  school  campus  in  the  same  district  (Tuscarora  High  School,  Leesburg,  VA)  http://cmsweb1.loudoun.k12.va.us/Tuscarora/site/default.asp

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RF  Questions  for  Dr.  Wes  Kleene22. Does  the  VDH  or  Virginia  Department  of  Environmental  Quality  regulate  the  water  

quality  of  the  stormwater pond  located  on  the  Raspberry  Falls  property?  Why  is  this  pond  not  lined  to  prevent  seepage  of  runoff  contaminants  into  the  

usage  of  fertilizers  or  pesticides  all  of  which  may  seep  into  or  runoff  into  the  

23. Did  the  Raspberry  Falls  Golf  Course  originally  have  their  own  drinking  water  well?    Was  this  well  abandoned?    For  what  reason?

24.Non  Compliers  (Waterworks)  for  enforcement  targeting?

25. It  is  our  understanding  that  Raspberry  Falls  Golf  Course  irrigation  wells  are  drawing  200,000+  gpd and  Raspberry  Falls  potable  drinking  water  well  is  drawing  100,000+  gpd from  our  groundwater  aquifer  located  in  Karst  geology.   The  developer  is  continuing  to  sell  homes  and  add  connections  to  our  fragile  community  well.   Could  you  please  lay  out  the  potential  long  term  impacts  of  over  pumping  of  wells  especially  relating  to  formation  of  sinkholes,  altercation  of  sinking/losing  underground  streams,  and  structural  damage  to  homes  and  underground  water/sewer  pipes?   Does  it  make  sense  to  reduce  connections  of  high  production  wells,  thus  reducing  the  burden  for  the  aquifer  in  this  heavily  populated  area,  noting  a  municipal  water  supply  is  approximately  1  mile  away?   Does  it  make  sense  to  stop  future  exploration  for  potable  water  wells  in  this  contaminated  area?  

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