SUNRISE BEACH, Mo. — A mysterious water leak is costing Ozarks Kat & K9 (formerly STAFF) Animal Shelter, but the Village of Sunrise Beach says the shelter can not unhook from the public water and use its own well.
Animal Shelter Board President Harold Vandehaar attended the Monday, Aug. 8 Sunrise Beach Board of Trustees meeting to discuss the issue.
He reported that shelter has a water leak for quite some time and its water usage has been fluctuating up and down by as much as 20,000 gallons a month. But they can't find the leak.
The board had previously given the shelter a discounted rate, until that was found to be against Missouri Department of Natural Resources water covenants.
“We cannot afford a $400 a month water bill,” Vandehaar said plainly.
He requested to be disconnected from the village water works, saying the shelter would prefer to use their own well. But Sunrise Beach Mayor Curt Mooney informed him that the DNR loan covenants would not allow them to be taken off the system. “All businesses in the village must be connected,” Mooney said.
Village Attorney Greg Williams suggested inspecting the plumbing near the most recent construction point, which would be the shelter’s new quarantine building. He also suggested contacting the Missouri Rural Water Association, noting the association will locate the leak for free.
