The City of Laurel is now regulating water well construction in the city.

This new regulation comes after more than a year of discussion.

Last year in April, the Laurel City Council had slated the item for a vote. After some discussions, the issue was referred to the council’s Public Works Committee for more discussion and modification.

Then last month, the City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance establishing regulations concerning private water wells.

Tuesday, Laurel resident Henry Thompson said he’s concerned about the new ordinance regulating private wells.

Thompson said the City of Laurel shouldn’t be reaping any benefits from this. He said this water does not go into the sanitation system.

Councilman Tony Thaxton said the “city has a legitimate interest in knowing who’s drilling wells.

“We are not telling them that they can’t drill a well,” Thaxton added. “We are just getting a mechanism to inventory them.”

Project Manager for United Water Ralph Gorenflo said the proposed ordinance does not prohibit water wells in the city.

“It’s not a prohibition,” he said. “It’s a vehicle to control them.”

Council president Tony Wheat said the ordinance is needed to help the city regulate the water that could be released into the city’s sewer system.

“This is not in anyway going to effect anyone’s ability to have a private well,” Wheat said. “However, any time they connect to the city’s sewer system, that discharge will be metered.”

According to the ordinance, any well drilled or operated within the city for private use shall not be connected in any manner with the city water and sewer system without specific written authorization.

The ordinance also requires that any private well within the city shall conform to the requirements of all state, federal and local regulations including those administered by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and the Mississippi State Board of Health.

Also, prior to beginning construction of a new well, the owner and/or operator shall file a permit application with the City of Laurel Inspection Department or other designated city departments.