Council presses developers on water use, wells and PFAS limits in draft I‑4 ordinance

City staff and the attorney answered detailed questions about groundwater and wastewater in the draft I‑4 ordinance. Councilmember Diane asked whether existing wells could continue to be used and who would verify capacity; staff said existing permitted wells may be used for construction dust control within the average monthly pumping volumes of the most recent five‑year period, but all existing wells "shall be abandoned and sealed prior to the issuance of final occupancy" and no new wells shall be constructed as permanent supply.

"So we would have a confirmation from DNR that that was done," staff said, describing the DNR permit process for well abandonment and sealing. The ordinance requires developers to provide a detailed water‑conservation plan with estimated usage and best management practices and to update that plan every three years. If the city supplies water and additional capacity is needed, the draft requires the company to pay for expansions of the system.

On PFAS, staff said Menomonie already maintains local limits on PFOA/PFOS discharges and that wastewater pretreatment requirements in the draft are designed to prevent heavy metals or PFAS from entering the city's wastewater or solids stream. Staff said contaminated solids would be hauled away (not land‑applied) and that the ordinance's PFAS provisions will be effective immediately rather than delayed.