More sources of water will be looked into by the Edwardsburg Fire Board after firefighters fought a large fire at the Smithfield Farm horse barn on Elkhart Road  Nov. 11.

There were 20 animals that perished in the fire. Firefighters from 17 units aided in the battle to put out the blaze that could be seen for miles.

During a special meeting of Edwardsburg village officials, the Edwardsburg Fire Board and state officials held Thursday afternoon, it was determined that other sources of water be looked at with the possibility of adding more fire hydrants in the Township of Ontwa.

Bruce Stack, fire chief, and several of the firefighters were commended for fighting the blaze and another recent house fire that took a couple days to extinguish since the home set far off the road.

Following the Smithfield fire, the Edwardsburg village water tank went low and to refill it, residents had to boil their water for a couple of days. Also, one of two pumps burned up.

The village water supply has two wells. Each one pumps 1,000
gallons per minute, and they are close to each other. One is a backup pump.

One well was running and it couldn’t keep up with the high demand for water.

When pressure dropped on the first well the other well kicked on, but one was was not enough to handle the demand.

Joseph Ahern, village water superintendent, explained that the water department’s job is to supply water for all residents and schools.

“There was a demand and a large fire and the water went out. There could have been better communications between the water department and the fire department. I hope we can come to terms on that. I am here to try and resolve bad feelings between everybody. I would like to find something to update the water system.”

Milton Township Supervisor Robert Benjamin said this was the first that he had heard of the situation. He said his township is taking steps to provide an alternate water system.

Gary Wozniak, a Department of Environmental Quality engineer, said the most important aspect is that there is a full tower for protection.

It was noted that the water tank had been refilled and sanitized within a couple days of the fire.

Jacque Tighe, village president and fire board chairperson, questioned what other alternatives would be acceptable in the case of a large fire. She inquired about other options, including utilizing a nearby lake or municipality for addtional water.

“I don’t know. Is this an alternative that we can look at?” she said.

Chief Stack noted that to take water out of a lake requires equipment and the availability to get into a lake. He said some subdivisions such as Knollwood in Granger have a retention pond.

”It’s something for the future.” He mentioned they have looked in areas in Mason and in Ontwa townships and at Christiana Creek at Redfield Road where there is a canoe landing. There was also talk of putting in another well at the fire station, he said.

Edwardsburg village trustee Scott Mackling noted,

“If there are issues, we have to address it.” He also mentioned that Christiana Creek canoe landing would be a good source of water on Redfield Road.

Stack added that they can move water if there are sources. He said, “The magnitude was overwhelming. The guys worked their tails off.”

A further discussion was held about well sites which require five to ten acres or more.

It was also mentioned that in the future, a water tower may be inspected by a robot.

Stack noted that his department also assists neighboring counties.”