Citing possible unsanitary water conditions throughout Scott County, municipal, school and county officials met Thursday to begin dialogue on forming a countywide water district.

Several mayors and superintendents attended a county commission round-table session and heard a presentation by John Chittenden, an engineer from the Sikeston-based firm Waters and Associates.

Chittenden said Scott County is lagging behind other counties in water distribution.

Water districts have been established in other Southeast Missouri counties like New Madrid and Stoddard, he said, but Scott County has no such system.

The goal of a water district would be to get quality, safe water to everyone in the county, but such an endeavor would require vast cooperation over several phases.

Thursday's meeting was somewhat of a rallying cry by the commission and Chittenden to garner support for a district. They hope that nongovernmental officials can be found to form a steering committee.

"We need people who are passionate about getting this done," Chittenden said. "The county commission by itself will not get this thing off the ground."

Chittenden said the most important reason for forming a district is health.

"The same ground that has septic tanks in it, the same ground that farmers cover with chemicals is the same ground you find wells in," he said. "I would not drink it."

Chittenden and the county commissioners are seeking state Department of Economic Development grants to pay for a feasibility study. So far, no county funds have been spent on water district issues, second district commissioner Jamie Burger said.

The district would especially help small towns and villages like Blodgett. If Blodgett, a village of about 300 people, would become part of the water district, it wouldn't have to bother with water system upkeep.

"It's something the city of Blodgett would be glad to get out of," said Mayor Michael Riley. "We just had to increase our rates and most people understand why and don't complain. But the health issue is what sells with people and I think a countywide water district is a great idea."

Neither Chittenden nor the county commission has an idea of how much a water district might cost, but Chittenden said New Madrid County completed a water district in three phases for $3 million in each phase. New Madrid has 678 square miles of land to cover, compared to 421 square miles in Scott County. However, New Madrid also has 20,000 fewer residents.

Chittenden said much of the project would be funded through grants. He said the typical cost of water to the average household is 1.5 percent of household income. Grants would take care of the rest.

A bond issue would need to be passed by a simple majority. Property owners within the district would have to pay a fee to hook up, but those who chose not to use the water would not have to pay for the service, presiding commissioner Martin Priggel said.

Chittenden said there would be three options for municipalities within the district. They could have an emergency interconnection with the district, cities could purchase water from the district or the district could take over the city's water, including billing and maintenance.

Chuck Miller, town chairman for Kelso, said he thinks "it's a great idea."

He said Kelso has just one well and has been told by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources that it needs to drill another well for backup. Kelso has saved $90,000 of the $150,000 that will be needed for the new well.

However, Miller said the town's plans might change depending on how the water district develops.

Tim Porch, mayor of Scott City, said Scott City might be interested in working out a deal to serve as a water supplier for the district from its wells.

"The county needs it," Porch said. "Some of the private wells out there I wouldn't consider safe."

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635