Their lawyers took the religious objection path perhaps because that might carry greater weight than an environmental protection argument might- but at its root this has the look of a watershed issue.

Would you personally be A-OK with tonnes of treated sewerage being dumped upshed from your drinking water extraction point?

Responsible elders / leaders are expected to to do their best to slow roll or stop such changes being made - once it becomes routine its much harder to stop as problems present.