In a thorough presentation by Bob Ware of the Water Advisory Commission, the Board of County Commissioners was updated on the group’s progress at the BOCC meeting on March 22.

Ware told the county commissioners that the water group needs more members.

“We’d like to have two or three more people,” he said. “We are also looking for some people to help us with research, things of that nature.”

Although interest in Elbert County’s water situation has grown, there are still many people who need to become aware, Ware indicated.

The WAC was formed more than 10 years ago as an ad hoc group with the purpose of advising the county commissioners on matters regarding water policy. The three current members have been on the water group for more than five years.

“Most people take water for granted, as long as water is coming out of the tap, everything is good,” Ware said.

But with 98 percent of the county’s population on wells, “people have a lot to be concerned about, it’s just that simple,” he said.

Presently, there are 138 people on the WAC email list, though Ware hopes to see that number increase as Elbert County’s citizens become more informed and made aware of the need for citizen involvement.

The WAC has used various means to educate the local population and generate interest in the water situation within the county, such as media presentations, speakers, and service programs.

A public outreach program is available for people who need documentation assistance, such as how to make changes in ownership of their well and the laws surrounding that process. Another issue on which the WAC informs citizens is well adjudication (the legal process to determine who has a valid water right).

When questioned by the BOCC about the legal implications of the WAC’s assistance to the public on personal property issues, Ware explained that they are not acting as legal advisers but rather directing citizens to public information documentation.

The commissioners expressed their appreciation for the water commission’s hard work, then stated some of their concerns to Ware following he had completed his presentation.

“As commissioners, we want to be involved, we want to know what’s being given to the public,” said Commissioner Danny Willcox.

Commissioner Grant Thayer suggested more frequent public updates by the WAC.

“Call us to get on the agenda,” he said. “Or call us if there’s something that needs to be discussed.”

Commissioner Chris Richardson pinpointed the need for a redirection of the WAC’s current course.

“I feel the group has been allowed to stray from their intended purpose,” he said. “What was once advisory to the BOCC is now a citizen education group. Laudable, but not their intended mandate.”

Their specific responsibilities, scope and authority were never formally documented, Richardson said.

“The original three members are no longer members … and it seems clear they (the current water advisory commission members) have chosen their own direction without consulting the BOCC on this change,” he said.

“I want to sit down … and jointly develop a vision, purpose, scope and end-state that meets the BOCC needs,” Richardson said.

A specific date for the meeting has not been set.

The Water Advisory Commission meetings are open to the public. They are held the first Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Pines & Plains Public Library in Elizabeth.