EDITORIAL: Short-term and long-term ideas needed to prevent more water damage

In the aftermath of the May monsoon and the subsequent early June flooding the Grand Island Public Works Department has been busy gathering information on the next steps to prevent future damage.

Four areas felt the brunt of the damage last month:  the Lamar/Arthur street area, the "Irish Acres" in the northwest part of town, the Utah/Nevada street area near Northwest and the Brentwood area in the southwest quadrant. The mildew aroma that enveloped much of these neighborhoods that week still lingers in many homes.

Public Works Director Steve Riehle and  his staff have met with scores of homeowners to explain the specific episodes in their part of town. Riehle has shown remarkable patience in listening to every complaint offered up. As a public servant, he has been tested in many areas this spring. The wastewater treatment plant issues with JBS Swift & Co., the reconstruction and widening of Second Street, the flood damage and budget issues have left him with little sleep and lots of headaches. He has remained upright after the onslaught and is busy preparing plans to take back to the neighborhoods and the city council.

Regarding the groundwater levels that destroyed so many basements, most residents are looking at two responses from the city. First is advice and action on how to prevent a similar occurrence this summer or next spring. Secondly, they are looking for a long-term solution that will minimize the chance of a future threat. Short and long term solutions are being studied at several levels.

The city is virtually surrounded by water issues, be it polluted plumes of underground water, high groundwater levels, wastewater treatment releases or agricultural runoffs engulfing neighborhoods. The dewatering of a sizable portion of the city will likely require federal help to properly mitigate future disasters.

Riehle has a lot on his plate and property owners will be looking for answers soon regarding short and long-term fixes. Then the council must act accordingly to make these projects come alive quickly. The council must place this public project in the top echelon of funding needs.