Council holds off on a private-well ban near old contamination sites after members ask for more notice

What happened

The council did not vote on an ordinance that would ban new private water wells and require any existing ones to close within 365 days in areas the state has identified with historic groundwater contamination, after City Attorney Michael Wright said state environmental regulators prefer a citywide restriction over asking each affected property owner individually to record a deed restriction. 35:09

Councilperson Amanda Thompson noted the ordinance doesn't grandfather in existing wells 37:55 and asked for more advance notice to landowners before the council votes on it 38:54.

City staff said they expect fewer than five properties are actually affected and may ask the council to table the ordinance next week while they arrange city water hookups for any well owners it would affect. 49:09

The outcome

No vote was taken; the council moved on to the next agenda item without action on General Ordinance 10-2026. 52:37

Sources

• City Attorney Michael Wright explains the ordinance and IDEM's preference, 35:09
• 365-day well closure with no grandfather clause, 37:55
• Councilperson Thompson asks for more notice, 38:54
• Staff: fewer than five properties, possible request to table, 49:09
• No vote taken, item moves on, 52:37

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