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Council clears way to bid two new water wells; staff details schedule and cost estimate
Summary
Council authorized advertising for bids for construction of wells 5 and 6 in the 2025 water-supply project and heard staff presentations about schedule, DNR review and a roughly $2.6 million probable cost for the overall multi-contract program.
City staff briefed the City Council on plans to construct two new supply wells (referred to in the presentation as wells 5 and 6) and the council authorized advertising for bids for the well-construction contract at its Jan. 21 meeting.
The staff presentation explained the work is intended to replace capacity lost from the city’s existing well field. After summer rehabilitation and testing, staff said the well field is producing roughly 500 gallons per minute (about 700,000 gallons per day) less than original capacity. The project was broken into three contracts: contract A for drilling and well construction (wells 5 and 6), contract B for utilities and site work, and contract C for well control panels.
Staff said the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) completed a building-well construction assessment that noted the proposed wells could potentially impact nearby surface-water features and domestic wells; however, staff reported that after a follow-up meeting DNR did not appear to require additional technical review beyond what was already completed. The timeline presented anticipates advertising for bids immediately, accepting bids on Feb. 18, and a construction milestone to have wells drilled, developed and test-pumped by July 18, with substantial project completion in September and final completion in October.
The presentation outlined the work included in contract A (drilling, wellhead/pile cap or adapter, and pump installation), contract B (water-main route, site work, repaving and well metering), and contract C (procurement of control panels). Staff noted a 12-week lead time for control panels and said panels must be on-site by June 30 under the procurement schedule.
An opinion of probable cost presented to council split the work by contract and placed the total program cost (construction, contingencies and soft costs across the three contracts) at about $2,600,000. Council adopted a resolution authorizing plans and specifications and ordering advertisement for bids for the well-construction contract; the motion carried on voice vote.
