City approves $94,009 preliminary engineering contract for a seventh municipal well

The Livingston City Commission approved a professional services agreement with TD&H Engineering to carry out preliminary engineering for a potential seventh municipal well, a step city staff described as necessary planning for long‑term water supply and redundancy.

City Manager Grant Gager said the city’s water model — updated to include recent development approvals — still shows capacity for a prolonged period but that entitled subdivisions and planned projects increase the case for early planning. “We recognized that it’s probably prudent to begin those conversations now,” Gager said. He told commissioners the city has previously included a seventh well in its capital plan and that impact fees collected over recent years were intended in part to fund such infrastructure.

The $94,008.72 agreement covers topographic and boundary surveys, hydrogeologic assessment of two potential well sites, flow testing and an evaluation of water rights and easements. Gager said Livingston Health Care earlier conveyed willingness to host a well near its property, and the city has discussed alternatives with the Watson family if the health center option is not finalized.

Commissioners and staff discussed redundancy for the hospital and the east side of town. Gager noted the hospital’s current supply flows across a line on Veterans Bridge and that losing that main — while unlikely — would pose service and continuity risks. Public works staff said modern wellhead and casing designs minimize risk of surface‑water infiltration when pipe elevations and floodplain constraints are addressed in final design.

Motion: approve Professional Services Agreement 20232 with TD&H Engineering and authorize chair and city manager to sign; Motion by Woolich, second by Nudes; vote: unanimous. Staff will continue hydrogeologic study, secure easements as needed and return with further design and funding proposals.