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Blasting Damage

I recently lost my water well due to a neighbor blasting a foundation into the same ledge that my house and well have been on for 35 years. I was very surprised at what I found after countless hours of research. There's nothing in the Connecticut state blasting regulations that protects people like me with property damage. I've changed a great deal since 1972; this blasting regulation is that old, but hasn't been updated.

The present regulations lack protection and reimbursement for damages that take place during a private construction blast or an ongoing industrial quarry blasting situation. The damaged party is responsible for the burden of proof. This requires hiring a well-paid geologist, hydrologist, or structural engineer. These professionals tell those damaged that nothing happened to our properties; we just have "weak structures and old wells." These experts are hired as third-party testimony while working for the blasting industry and insurance companies that represent the blasters. The blasters carry insurance for up to $2 million per blasting incident.

We were fine; they blasted; we have damage. We didn't get paid. Under the best conditions and adherence to state mandates, blasting damage does take place. Geology isn't an exact science. If you want to blast, you should pay for what the explosion damages. All Connecticut citizens' property should be protected; we pay a great deal in taxes.

The use of a pre-blast survey and other safety criteria have been proven to not matter. Damaged homes, businesses, wells, aquifers, septic systems, foundations, swimming pools, roofs, and walls should be protected and reimbursed.

The lawsuit route has proven to cost the innocent party even more money, with no promise of winning the case. I encourage your similarly-affected readers to tell their stories to their legislators and request a change to the law.

Deborah F. RindgeChester