City denies new well for Eberle Winery
The Paso Robles City Council this week rejected an appeal by Filipponi & Thompson Drilling, on behalf of the Eberle Winery, for a permit to replace a water well.
The rejection comes after the city council adopted an ordinance on March 4, which temporarily prohibits the construction of new wells, or the modification, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of existing wells that would increase the amount of groundwater capable of being extracted from the Paso Robles groundwater basin.
On March 6, Filipponi & Thompson Drilling filed a permit application with the city to drill a well at the Eberle Winery at 3830 Highway 46E. City staff determined that any issuance of a well permit must comply with the City Ordinance. In particular, the city is prohibited from approving the
proposed replacement well if it would “increase the amount of groundwater capable of being extracted from the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin,” according to a staff report.
For the permit to move forward city staff required the following conditions:
- The replacement well must have the same casing size (or smaller) as the well being abandoned.
- Construction details regarding the well being replaced must be provided, along with pumping records as available.
- The replaced well must be destroyed and abandoned in accordance with a permit obtained through the County Health Department.
- The City must be allowed to monitor water levels and pumping from the new well.
On July 24, Doug Filipponi requested an appeal hearing before the city council asking the city to issue a well permit without any conditions.
The appeal was rejected by 3-2 margin with Mayor Duane Picanco, Councilmen Steve Martin and Fred Strong voting to deny the permit. Councilmen Ed Steinbeck and John Hamon voted against the denial.
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