Eminent Domain, Land Owners and the Need for Water
“As the ongoing Clarke County Water Supply Project continues to take form, many landowners, businesses and residents are left to wonder what both the immediate and long-terms effects will be in Southern Iowa. Some are concerned with the cost of the project while others question the need for an additional water source.
Landowners are weighing the benefits of just compensations with tax implications and the need to replace properties.
Currently, West Lake is the raw water supply for Osceola, Woodburn and rural areas in Clarke County. Built in 1934, West Lake is a 306-acre reservoir owned by the City of Osceola. West Lake – located approximately a half-mile west of Iowa Interstate 35 – provides 800,000 gallons of potable water per day, which is projected to be about two-million gallons short of future demand assuming the current growth rates of nearby communities.
The Clarke County Reservoir Commission (CCRC) is working to build a new reservoir to supply drinking water for Osceola, Woodburn, Murray, and other communities throughout Southern Iowa. Given the proximity to Des Moines, and the many amenities the area offers, Osceola is a prime location for future development. The necessity for adequate drinking water for the future is clearly documented, and the City of Osceola and surrounding communities stand to benefit greatly from the Water Supply Project.”
Herring, Kenny. People Company 3 July 2013.