Benton County residents are reporting more problems with wells and blame the irrigation practices of a nearby farmer.

Neighbors claim a farmer irrigating his fields on County Road 600 East, just north of Templeton, is the reason. It’s less than a mile from where a number of wells have gone dry.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be investigating today (Wed).

The farmer in question reportedly told the DNR he’s not responsible for dry wells.

He says with the Otterbein water tower empty for repainting, it's possible last Tuesday's house fire is to blame or perhaps a fertilizer company in town.
    
However the Oxford fire chief says firefighters have drawn water from Templeton before and never had a problem.

Hot, dry conditions have triggered the kind of concern in other areas too.

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