Future of artesian well lies with city

By John Dodge | The Olympian • Published October 21, 2007

The three partners in that project need to meet soon to clear the air over what needs to happen to drill a test well. Ingersoll said such a meeting is in the works, perhaps as soon as November.

Meanwhile, a gushing artesian well water-pipe protruding from the Diamond Parking lot on Fourth Avenue continues to serve as a de facto community source of artesian water, attracting hundreds, if not thousands, of people who swear by the water's fresh, cool taste — free of chlorine and iron. For some, the hydrogeology of artesian water — it flows to the earth's surface under pressure and without the benefit of a pump — takes on a mystical quality.

There is also a cultural and historic allure to artesian well water. The few remaining wells in downtown Olympia connect modern day Olympia to more than a century ago, when the Olympia populace and commerce relied exclusively on artesian wells for water.

But the well, which lacks a health department operating permit, stays open only under the good graces of Diamond Parking, city and county health officials and Friends of the Artesians, the nonprofit group that pays to have the water quality tested monthly.

The future of the artesian well at Diamond Parking could turn precarious in the months ahead. Hall said a commercial real estate agent representing Diamond Parking has informed him the lot is for sale.

That could be good news, or bad news, for artesian lovers, depending on who buys the lot. Hall said that parking lot is not a high priority acquisition for the city.

Seems to me it's high time to revive the community discussion about the future of an artesian well park in Olympia.

Which of these three sites makes the most sense from environmental, economic and public access points of view? Which has the best chance of receiving the necessary permits?

The meeting between the Friends, the city and the port is a good first step.

And when the new City Council convenes in January members need to decide how active of a role the city should take in making the artesian water park dream come true.

Right now, the Friends would like to hear what the public has to say about the three sites. Comments can be directed to Ingersoll at jwingersoll@comcast.net. Look for the Friends to host a community forum on the future of an artesian well, time and place to be announced.

For more information about the Friends of Artesians, go to their Web site at www.oly-wa.us/artesians.

John Dodge is a senior reporter and Sunday columnist for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5444 or jdodge@theolympian.com.