Mercer County is a growing area of the state with increased water demands. However, the county’s major municipal supplier is faced with quantity limits and quality problems with its lake water source, managed by its sophisticated water treatment plant at great cost. Efforts to secure surface or ground water supplies are further hampered by the proximity of the Lake Erie-Gulf of Mexico watershed divide.

The county is developing new ground water supplies for domestic and planned industrial water supply. Wells were inspected and aquifer testing conducted to prove capacity and to determine a strategy for expansion within constraints. Ground Water Science is working closely with engineers Fanning & Howey on wellfield planning and testing.