# Council passes groundwater-use restrictions after a records check finds no customers relying only on wells

## What happened
The council adopted groundwater-use restrictions for areas with historic contamination after City Engineer Marcus Meyer told the council that staff cross-checked sewer billing records for the area's 1,081 parcels and found that every sewer customer there already has a water account. [31:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiS7TwOKh8k&t=1881)

Meyer said that check gives the city confidence no one in the area relies solely on well water for household use — the notice concern that led the council to hold the ordinance without a vote a week earlier. [31:37](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiS7TwOKh8k&t=1897)

This is the second time the ordinance has come before the council since it was introduced on Sept. 3, when members asked for more notice to affected landowners before voting. [38:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTaXfMFUA30&t=2334)

## The outcome
Passed on a voice vote. [39:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiS7TwOKh8k&t=2351)

## Sources
- [City Engineer Marcus Meyer: sewer billing check of 1,081 parcels, 31:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiS7TwOKh8k&t=1881)
- [No one appears to rely solely on well water, 31:37](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiS7TwOKh8k&t=1897)
- [Sept. 3: council asks for more notice before voting, 38:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTaXfMFUA30&t=2334)
- [Council approves General Ordinance 10-2026 on a voice vote, 39:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiS7TwOKh8k&t=2351)

*Also known as: General Ordinance 10-2026 · groundwater usage restrictions · private well ban Terre Haute · IDEM contamination wells · private well closure ordinance*