Years in the making, including years before Covid, the model revised ordinance designed to protect groundwater in Bridgeton, Nockamixon, and Tinicum from overuse, while also protecting privately-owned wells, has moved to the advertising stage in Nockamixon Township.
The action was taken as a unanimous vote of the board of supervisors at their April 21 public meeting. The next step is any further discussion among supervisors and their professional and volunteer staff, probably toward a public hearing at the May 19 supervisors meeting, at which time a final approval vote might also take place.
The ordinance revision, to replace a 2009 ordinance that was passed as separate from the main body of the township zoning ordinance, was created by the Bridgeton-Nockamixon-Tinicum Groundwater Committee, comprised of scientists and other volunteers, as well as paid professional hydrology expertise that was engaged at no cost to taxpayers.
The revised ordinance is to go into the main body of the township zoning ordinance. Township engineers and solicitors have also been actively involved, including at the April 21 Nockamixon meeting. The township planning commission had already greenlighted the advertising stage, while the county planning commission had contributed review and comments, and the township also received the results of a pass-along to the county board of health. Before the 2009 ordinance, there were only well drilling permits.
The revision effort began about nine years ago, as an effort to help make the ordinance more defensible against any court challenges by any offenders, which officials noted at the April 21 meeting as still the primary objective. Efforts have also been made to incorporate advances in hydrology and related sciences.
With no public water supply in the township, residents rely on well water. A primary objective of the joint, three-township committee has been to adequately preserve the underground aquifer, as well as the water supply of already existing users, in the event of any new development that is to also draw on the aquifer.
The revision was noted as also paying special attention to not unduly burdening private homes with regulations crafted primarily with multiple-unit development in mind. Included are pump tests to gauge any effect on neighboring wells, and allowance for site variations. Also at the April 21 meeting, supervisors welcomed the reconvening of the township’s Open Space Committee, which will be meeting the first Wednesday of the month, at 7:30 in the township building on Lake Warren Road.
Supervisor Chair Bill Sadow is to be their liaison to the board, with Supervisor John Haubert serving as alternate.
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