McLoud Residents Concerned About New Water Ordinance

By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

MCLOUD, Oklahoma -- Water is necessary for life and water bills are a fact of life in every city and town. But in the town of McLoud the question of who should pay is causing controversy.

Lots of people in and around McLoud still get their water from wells, too many according to city officials.

"The core part of the older part of town was paying all the bills for all the new homes that had been built over the last 15-20 years. And it just isn't right to make half of the people pay and let half of them not pay," McLoud City Manager Larry Dillon said.

Dillon says the areas that don't pay for city water still receive police and fire protection. Now a new ordinance requires residents to hook up to city water as soon as water lines are laid in a neighborhood.

The city manager says most people in McLoud are willing to go along with the new water ordinance once it's explained to them. He wasn't including some of the people who live along Hickory Lane.

There are new waterlines along Hickory Lane, but Forge Mileham likes his well water just fine. And he hates the new ordinance.

"Well if they can force you to do anything when your water's fine, you might as well fly up a different kind of flag, an American flag upside down, in distress," McLoud resident Forge Mileham said.

The homeowners have a Web site, FreeMcLoud.com, to voice their grievances. They're also talking about a lawsuit.

Kathy Wilson lives just outside the city limits. She thinks over time she may give up her well and hook onto McLoud.

"I think so. I mean just saving the expense of having to put down a new well or top or something could be, you know, could help," Wilson said.