County will test water quality of watershed
Peruque Creek watershed feeds into Lake Saint Louis

By Kalen Ponche
Saturday, July 4, 2009 1:18 AM CDT

The water quality of the Peruque Creek watershed will be monitored for a 12-month period likely to start in August.

The St. Charles County Council Monday passed a bill that establishes funding for the pilot water testing program.

Councilman Joe Brazil, R-District 2, initiated the project in the hope of obtaining baseline data on the watershed, which includes parts of unincorporated St. Charles County, O'Fallon, Lake Saint Louis, Wentzville, Foristell and Wright City.

Under the proposal, the watershed would be tested twice a month at four locations. Gerry Boehm, of Brookside Environmental Services, submitted the low bid for the project, which would be paid for with $5,000 each from the county, Lake Saint Louis and the Lake Saint Louis Community Association.

The proposal was introduced last fall, but Lake Saint Louis alderman voted against including the $5,000 in the city's budget for this year. They recently reconsidered and approved funding the project at the request of Brazil.

Lake Saint Louis Alderwoman Charlotte Norton, Ward 2, isn't convinced the testing is necessary. She said previous testing demonstrated the problem areas and now funding is needed for remediation and education.

"We heard, 'This is like your annual check-up at the doctor,'" she said. "Does this mean we need to do it annually? Indefinitely?"

Norton said she's unsure what information she will look for at the end of the 12 months to convince her the testing was worthwhile.

Once the paperwork is completed for the bid, Boehm would be free to begin testing, said county Finance Director Bob Schnur.

 

http://suburbanjournals.stltoday.com/articles/2009/07/04/stcharles/news/0705stc-water0.txt