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Water Woes

When my wife and I built our home more than 22 years ago, our water supply was abundant and could easily cope with our family of four. Over time, we noticed that our water filter started to clog with sediment more frequently; the pressure would drop and I would change the filter. No big deal.

Summer 2015 began with a more serious problem for our family of now two. Returning home from the office, my wife away all day, I turned on the faucet and was greeted with the sound of air, and no water. I checked the water holding tank and it was empty, so I called our pump service man. He examined the tank, plumbing, and pump—all checked out fine. Then he examined the well.

Our pump motor was covered in mud, and there was no water in the well. Overnight the water replenished, but this was the beginning of our water woes because the well ran dry two more times that summer. In summer 2016 the problem returned; we ran out of water twice.

We on the shoreline are and have been experiencing water problems of quantity and quality. The sea level has risen, the salt water displacing the fresh water. Drilling another well even deeper was useless. Some other shoreline communities, in addition to not having enough water, have water that is contaminated with sea minerals or bacteria. The only permanent solution is connecting to city water. This clean water will be enough to provide water during power outages and additionally provide fire hydrants.

I encourage your readers to vote “Yes” at the referendum to provide us with this basic necessity. The entire costs will be paid the residents who are affected; no additional money from the town or its residents is needed.

Allen Oshana

Guilford

Allen Oshana is a member of the Long Cove Association.