First reading of an ordinance regulating ground water wells and ground water use has been approved by the Vincennes City Council.

The issue concerns some contamination from dry cleaning chemicals in the 1400 block of Washington Avenue where various dry cleaning businesses have operated for over 70 years.

Different substances are used now for drying cleaning and officials say the issue discovered 10 years ago in the area has not gotten any worse.

The issue was brought up at a recent meeting of the Vincennes Utilities Services Board.

At Monday’s Vincennes City Council meeting, the council heard from attorney Douglas Luks representing the owners of the former Field’s Cleaners.

He explained how the contamination was found and the efforts that have been made to reduce it.

It’s now at a point where he was asked by the utilities board to write an ordinance that would in essence prohibit residents from installing ground water wells thus preventing possible exposure to contaminants.

Currently there is no evidence of any wells in that area as homes in the neighborhoods are on city water.

First reading of the ordinance passed unanimously and the issue will be studied further by council members before the ordinance receives final approval.