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Waverly council approves $17,000 desktop well‑siting assessment after PFAS detection in Well No. 7
Summary
The City of Waverly approved a $17,000 desktop well‑siting assessment from LRE Water to identify potential replacement well locations after elevated PFAS detections in Well No. 7; council cited a DNR funding opportunity and unanimous approval.
The Waverly City Council on Sept. 8 unanimously approved a proposal from LRE Water for a desktop well‑siting assessment estimated at $17,000 to identify potential locations for a replacement municipal well after elevated PFAS was detected in Well No. 7.
City staff told the council the desktop study uses aerial and satellite imagery plus fracture‑trace analysis and other geophysical techniques rather than immediate field drilling. "There's actually right now there's no field work. That's where they're saying desktop," a staff member identified in the meeting as Justin said, adding the analysis will give the city a short list of possible sites for test drilling.
The council heard the assessment is intended to prepare the city in case Well No. 7 must be taken offline. "Well Number 7 had had some peak PFAS detection and we've been working through that with the DNR," Justin said. "At some point in time, we'll have to shut down that well. This is basically setting us up for a well on that pressure zone in town."
Justin told the council the city is seeking to act now because the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IODNR) has a funding opportunity described in the meeting as a "100% forgivable loan" for new wells where PFAS has been detected. He said some legal settlements related to PFAS have already produced funds for the city that could help pay for related work.
Council members asked about timing and next steps. Staff described the desktop assessment as an early step: if a promising site is identified, the city would then contract for a test well and, if that is successful, move to design and construction. "If we can find some good locations, possibly next step would be getting a consultant on board to work with, designing and what we need to do to get this well installed," Justin said. He and council members discussed a fast‑track best case where a new well could be in service by summer 2026 but cautioned land acquisition, permitting and funding could extend the timeline.
The council approved the resolution authorizing the LRE Water desktop well‑siting assessment by unanimous roll call. No council member opposed.
The decision keeps the city positioned to apply for state funding and to avoid losing supply redundancy in the pressure zone served by Well No. 7 if the well becomes unusable because of PFAS compliance requirements.
