A plan to replace Underwood's well water when coal mining drains it away is OK with state regulators.

But the final choice will still be the town's, when it goes to the polls April 26.

On Wednesday the Public Service Commission said Falkirk Mining Co.'s plan to give the town $900,000 toward a pipeline to bring treated water over from Riverdale satisfies the mine company's legal obligation.

Falkirk will mine near the town's southern city limits in about three years and drain water that normally gets tapped by the city's 14 groundwater wells.

State and federal mining law says Falkirk has an obligation to replace water of similar quality and quantity when their operations interrupt flow.

Mine companies have occasionally replaced farm and ranch wells, but this is the first time a mine company has had to replace water for a whole town.

The PSC made it clear that it wasn't trying to influence how Underwood votes next month, only to determine if Falkirk's plan is adequate.

When townspeople go to the polls, it'll be to decide if they like an agreement to get treated water from an expanded water treatment plant at Riverdale.

The vote had been set for April 5, but was delayed until April 26 so Underwood and Riverdale could get together on a final contract, establishing price and so forth, before it's presented to the people.

People will vote on the Riverdale contract, not the financial deal with Falkirk.

Still, Falkirk's landman Jim Melchior said he'll be more relieved by a vote to hook up to Riverdale, than he was by the PSC decision.

If people vote to go with Riverdale, it'll be a permanent fix to its water supply and a big improvement, except for cost. Underwood's well water isn't treated, but city officials say they're only one bad bacteria test away from having to either treat their well water, or get water from someplace else.

If the vote goes the other way, Falkirk will spend about $800,000 to drill some replacement groundwater wells on the north side of Underwood.

Melchior said the long-range mining plan calls for mining in that area and it's likely they would drill replacement wells now, only to do it again in the future.

He said Falkirk would like a permanent fix, rather than another stopgap solution that lasts for 25 years.

It's estimated Underwood residents would pay about $20 a month for treated water, compared to the $7 they pay now.

The pipeline from Riverdale will cost about $1.4 million, though bidding won't start until after the vote.

The PSC said Falkirk's responsibility would end 90 days after water is delivered from Riverdale.

Melchior said Falkirk would have to go back to the PSC with a groundwater well replacement plan if voters reject Riverdale water.

(Reach reporter Lauren Donovan at 888-303-5511 or lauren@westriv.com.)