Board hears school well discussion; DEQ says condemn one well, replacement cost uncertain
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Summary
Board and school staff discussed a school water-supply issue: state environmental officials have recommended condemning one of two school wells, staff said, but a definitive replacement cost is not known and the schools currently use about half the DEQ-allowed annual volume.
County and school officials discussed the condition and financing of school water wells during the budget work session.
County staff said the proposed school capital-improvement project (CIP) had included a $390,000 line for a well, but earlier meetings reduced that figure because the county does not yet have a definitive cost estimate. “There were various numbers that were put out there for the cost of the well, because we do not have a definite figure on the well,” county staff said.
School-related speakers said the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is not mandating a full replacement at this time; instead, the immediate directive from DEQ is to condemn one of the two wells. “DEQ is not mandating that we replace a well at this moment,” a school official said. County and school participants discussed whether the two wells are hydraulically connected; one participant, identified as Mr. Brand, said the systems are connected and that water has been moved from one school to the other. He recommended condemning the elementary school well because it has smaller pumps, smaller tanks and is the older system.
Why it matters: if the elementary well is condemned and must be abandoned or replaced, the county and school will need to determine financing for that work. Staff said the estimate in the school CIP had been reduced in prior discussions because of the uncertainty and that the board may need to determine financing options going forward.
Discussion versus decision: the meeting recorded staff and board discussion and a recommendation from a school-system representative; no formal procurement or replacement decision was made and no firm cost estimate was presented.
Next steps: staff will seek more precise cost estimates and consider financing options; the well issue remains on the CIP watch list and will be revisited as more information becomes available.
