Published • loading... • Updated
Lake level litigation? Black Diamond residents claim water district is draining Lake Sawyer
The group says summer pumping and a 2015 water-sale deal have driven repeated lake-level drops, with Lake Sawyer falling 43.4 inches last year.
- On October 16, the Lake Sawyer Advocacy Group presented findings to the Black Diamond City Council, alleging the Covington Water District drains Lake Sawyer by pumping from its 222nd Street wells during summer months.
- Disputes escalated after the Covington Water District entered a 2015 agreement selling up to 1.25 million gallons daily to the Lake Meridian Water District, which residents claim causes Lake Sawyer to drop sooner and recover slower.
- The Lake Sawyer Advocacy Group reports "instantaneous effects" on water levels, while the Covington Water District cites the 1990 Hart Crowser report to claim no correlation between production and lake levels.
- Resident Grifan Cayce stated the group hopes to convince the Covington Water District to alter its pumping practices, but warned residents are "prepared to file a lawsuit" if the district refuses to negotiate.
- The Department of Ecology is currently reviewing water rights in the area, noting "some tests indicate" a direct hydraulic connection between Lake Sawyer and the production wells, potentially requiring operational changes.
Insights by Ground AI
13 Articles
13 Articles
Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber+12 Reposted by 12 other sources
Lake level litigation? Black Diamond residents claim water district is draining Lake Sawyer
The Lake Sawyer Advocacy Group says the Covington Water District’s pumping empties the lake during the summer, greatly affecting the environment, recreational activity, and property values. The water district says there are other causes to the drastically-low lake levels.
·Vashon, United States
Read Full ArticleCoverage Details
Total News Sources13
Leaning Left0Leaning Right0Center13Last UpdatedBias Distribution100% Center
Bias Distribution
- 100% of the sources are Center
100% Center
C 100%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
