Bellaire approves $466,219 contract to sleeve and rehabilitate Renwick well after inspections show casing damage and motor wear

The Bellaire City Council voted unanimously on June 16, 2025 to award a contract not to exceed $466,219 to ALSEY Incorporated to rehabilitate the Renwick Water Well and to amend the FY 2024-25 enterprise fund budget to pay for the work.

Public Works Director Mark Velasquez presented camera inspection images and technical findings that prompted the emergency-style rehabilitation. Inspections showed heavy scaling and deposits on screens and casing, charred motor windings and damaged bearings, impeller damage and evidence of material floating inside the well at about 1,318 feet. Inspectors also documented sections of the well casing missing or severely eroded in the 780-foot depth range. Velasquez told the council that continued production from the well in that condition could result in sand production within six to 12 months, placing pumps and downstream equipment at risk.

Velasquez explained the recommended work: descaling and sleeving the well from roughly 780 feet down to the bottom near 1,300 feet, motor and bearing replacement as needed, and replacement or repair of damaged pump components. Staff estimated that operating the well without rehabilitation would likely accelerate damage to new pump components and could lead to a lost pump requiring a costly retrieval operation.

Council members asked technical and schedule questions. Staff said a temporary motor could be installed and the well back in service around July 14, 2025; a permanent motor and full rehabilitation would likely follow two to three weeks after that if work proceeds on schedule. Councilmember Lewis thanked staff for the inspection work and emphasized that sand production risks could mean a permanent loss of the well if not addressed. Mayor Pro Tem Frasier made the motion to approve the contract and Councilmember Witt seconded; the motion passed 7-0.

The contract and budget amendment were framed as part of maintaining Bellaire's ability to produce local potable water and to avoid compounding repair costs by replacing pumps without addressing the damaged casing and screening. Staff said rehabilitation work and the resulting inspection records will improve institutional records for well maintenance going forward.