NORDLAND — A proposed water filling station at Fort Flagler and Fort Gate roads that would serve Marrowstone Island residents with fouled or dry wells has been delayed after issues arose with its location.
Jim Parker, Jefferson County Public Utility District general manager, said Thursday that Fort Gate Road resident Richard Rothrock expressed concerns about water trucks filling up at the location, which might block his driveway and create traffic problems by turning around on the road.
Rothrock registered his concerns with Jefferson County planning officials involved in the utility district’s application for the project’s conditional use permit.
“I’m not against this installation,” said Rothrock, one of the fortunate Marrowstone residents who still have adequate potable water flowing from their well.
“I would just like it to be in a place that doesn’t do damage in the turnaround and near my driveway.
“There are people on the island that need water, and I’d like to see them get it, but not where they have to get it in my driveway.”
The utility district’s intention now is to run a water line down Fort Gate near the entrance to Fort Flagler State Park, then south about a mile down Fort Flagler Road for the overall utility district water service project proposed on the island, Parker said.
A water-filling station at the north end of Flagler Road would be a welcomed facility to many Marrowstone residents who now buy or long-haul thousands of gallons of water between the utility district’s filling station in Port Hadlock and the island.
The existing station is adjacent to the district’s offices on Chimacum Road.
Some 100 of the estimated 500 wells on Marrowstone Island are either dry or contaminated by saltwater intrusion, which is a growing problem.
The utility district proposes extending up to 2,000 feet of 8-inch pipeline from the 300,000-gallon, 60-foot water reservoir tower built last year at Fort Flagler near the state park’s front gate.