On Nov. 12, over a hundred people attended a public hearing regarding a proposal for a bottled water plant in Middleway.

The plant would occupy the space of the old abandoned 3M plant. I believe that’s now a “brownfield” (a polluted area awaiting cleanup).

Most of those in attendance expressed serious concern or outright opposition to the development. The primary concern seemed to be water. Is there enough water in and under Jefferson County to afford losing a million and a half gallons per day and still have enough for the needs of those who live here?

A study based on 1991 data seems to say yes, but Jefferson County’s population then was about 36,000. Today we have over 60,000 residents and we’re growing rapidly.

I was unable to attend the Nov. 12 hearing. The Planning Commission rejected the plan presented, but the developer will present a revised plan at a hearing to be held on Dec. 17. I will be there.

I would like to see something nicer replace the 3M plant. And providing clean water to drink sounds like a pleasant idea, if we have enough of it. But we need to make sure that whatever replaces 3M doesn’t cause problems down the road.

I suggest the Jefferson County Commission contact the U.S. Geological Survey’s West Virginia Science Center and ask that agency to do a thorough study of groundwater in our county. The West Virginia Science Center is headquartered in Charleston, but has a branch office in Leetown. It provides a lot of expertise in multiple fields related to water. Such a study would probably not be free, but I doubt the cost would be prohibitive. I seem to recall a few years ago talk of a groundwater study, but apparently nothing came of it.

A thorough study, done by a neutral entity such as the West Virginia Science Center engaged by the Jefferson County Commission (not by a private consultant hired by the developer), would ease the concerns of many, should that study show we have plenty of groundwater. The amount of surface water in our county is easier to determine than the amount of groundwater.

The developer needs to ease the concerns of many, given the lack of transparency in the original proposal. The fact that the water to go in its bottles would come from our groundwater had to be dragged out of the developer. And the development company’s name, Sidewinder, isn’t calculated to inspire confidence. (What marketing genius came up with such a name?)

West Virginia law says that the waters of our state belong to the people. But the state has refused to implement any regulations governing the use of this most critical of resources. And last year the Legislature passed a bill written by the West Virginia Farm Bureau that prevents local governments from attempting to regulate water in any way. Catch 22, anyone?

I hope the newly elected Legislature will see its way to either repeal that nonsensical law or authorize implementation of sensible state level water use regulations.

John Doyle is a 26-year former member of the West Virginia House of Delegates. He can be reached at rjohndoyle@comcast.net.