Fillmore adopts plans to drill exploratory Well 10 at Dolores Day Park, authorizes bid advertising

The Fillmore City Council on Aug. 26, 2025, approved plans and specifications and authorized staff to advertise for construction bids for an exploratory drilling and well development project known as Well 10 at Dolores Day Park.

The vote clears a first construction phase (project 25-03A) that will drill and test a new well intended to replace the aging Well 5 at Dolores Day Park. City staff said the drilling phase will test flow and water quality before the city commits to the well’s full equipping and surface construction. The project is split into three phases: 25-03A (exploratory drilling and Well 5 demolition), 25-03B (wellhead structure, driveway, containment building and generator) and 25-03C (well equipping, piping, electrical and permitting).

Why this matters: the city described the work as central to securing local water supply and long-term infrastructure reliability. Staff also warned the project will alter park space temporarily and could require noise mitigation and tree removals.

Most important facts - The engineer’s estimate for phase 25-03A (exploratory drilling and Well 5 demolition) is $1,800,000, staff said; the bid award will provide a firmer project cost. City staff warned overall project costs for later phases could raise the total substantially. - The recommended project footprint includes an enclosed well building roughly 25 by 60 feet, an open propane containment and a SCADA tower; staff said the structure is designed to be architecturally compatible with the new Dolores Day restrooms. - Staff said about three trees would need to be removed for construction, and the city will restore landscaping after work; a post-construction planting plan was shown in the packet. - Community outreach events were announced: a public meeting at City Hall on Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. and a second walk-through at Dolores Day Park on Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. - Schedule presented by staff: advertisement and bid posting planned for the week after council action, a tentative bid opening on Sept. 25, an award returning to council on Oct. 14 and construction beginning in November 2025 with phase 25-03A completion estimated in mid-February 2026.

Discussion and concerns Council members pressed staff on noise, footprint and timing. Staff said drilling can require continuous operations for technical reasons and described two likely two-week continuous drilling cycles. To limit noise during drilling, the city plans an aggressive sound-dampening system consisting of a three-sided sound wall with heavy curtains; staff said that measure aims to keep drilling noise within permissible limits. Staff also said the generator will be propane-fired (quieter than diesel) and the generator room is expected to run only for emergencies and testing, not continuously.

Staff explained siting constraints: state regulation distances from sewer lines and manholes, a recommended 150-foot separation from active wells for operational safety, and subsurface water-quality differences across the city that make the Dolores Day Park area preferable to other park sites. The design team and hydrogeologist recommended staying north within the city’s subsurface flow regime to avoid poorer water quality encountered at some southern sites (Well 9).

Actions and outcome The council voted to adopt the plans, specifications and engineer’s estimate for project 25-03A and authorized staff to advertise the project for competitive bids; the motion carried.

Next steps and implementation risks Staff will post the bid and return to council for contract award on Oct. 14. Staff flagged implementation risk as medium to high because costs for wells and long‑lead equipment remain elevated, and the phase structure allows the city to pause after the exploratory drilling if costs or test results require further review.

Ending note Staff advised residents that if drilling must run continuously for technical reasons, the city will provide advance public notice, hold the advertised outreach meetings and offer mitigation measures. The council directed staff to return with bid results and full funding options when a recommended contract is ready for award.