People living near a proposed water bottling plant in Minocqua want more than verbal assurances that its operation won’t create excessive noise or pollution.
More than a dozen people who live along nearby Hill Lake showed up at Tuesday’s town board meeting seeking detailed information about the manufacturing process.
While some said it would be a modern plant, Fred Petters asked for more documentation..
"...I hope it is, believe me. But, all we’ve got is what he says. There is no report that provided you with evidence that it’s clean, that it’s noise free, that there is no pollution. We haven’t seen anything. All we heard is from an individual...."
Bob Rynders, one of the project partners, said there would be no outside emissions, wastewater, odors or excessive noise from the plant. They plan to truck in bulk water from a private well owned by Trig Solberg, another partner, near Carlin Lake in Presque Isle. The bottling plant would process about 5,000 gallons of bulk water, or one tanker load, per eight-hour shift.
The board agreed to list the residents’ concerns along with its unanimous recommendation that the county issue a conditional use permit for the project.
The 24,000-square-foot steel building housing the bottling plant and warehouse will be located adjacent to Rynder’s Companies on Highway 70 West.
Rynders said he would bring more information, as well as a manufacturing representative, to the public hearing tentatively set for 2 p.m., Sept. 16.
