County Executive Patty Dreier. (Stock photo)

For the City-Times

Portage County Executive Patty Dreier will be hosting the following listening sessions on the topics of groundwater quantity and quality during the months of September and October. Any interested individuals are encouraged to attend.

Four additional listening sessions will take place between November and February with a final session providing a summary of all previous nine sessions. Those dates
and locations will be released in early October.

Input on groundwater issues and opportunities will be gathered at each session following a basic groundwater and surface water education presentation that will relate to
the unique local water situation in the vicinity of each listening session. Following this series of listening sessions, the ideas gathered will be published in a summary report and considered as a foundation for action strategy development in Portage County’s Groundwater Management Plan which is currently under revision.

The County Executive is seeking to build a common understanding through this listening series. Drier said her goal is to help facilitate development of a shared vision related to groundwater stewardship that balances interests and addresses issues today while ensuring healthy water resources for years to come and for everyone.

Free nitrate water testing will be available at every listening session for those who bring a pint of cold water in a clean container. Test results will be shared privately following each session along with follow-up tests that may be recommended.

The listening session schedule follows:

• Tuesday, September 30 – Lettie Jensen Community Center from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM in the Community Room, 487 North Main Street, Amherst
• Thursday, October 9 – John F. Kennedy Elementary School from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM in the Gym, 616 West Second Street, Junction City
• Wednesday, October 15 – Almond Bancroft Public Schools from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM in the Auditorium, 1336 Elm Street, Almond
• Wednesday, October 22 – Town of Plover from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM in the Town of Plover Hall, 5081 Hoover Avenue, Plover
• Wednesday, October 29 – Town of Dewey from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM in the Town of Dewey Hall, 430 Dewey Drive, Stevens Point

For more information, or to share comments or concerns, call Dreier’s office at 715-346-1997 or email [email protected]