Council approves $702,670 bid to rehabilitate Viewmont Well; city says work could take months

The Bountiful City Council on April 8 approved a bid of $702,670 for rehabilitation of the Viewmont Well to repair eroded screens and address sand production that has reduced the well’s performance.

City Engineer Lloyd Cheney and staff said the work is similar to a recent Calder Well rehabilitation and is necessary to restore reliable production. Cheney said sand movement has eroded well screens, creating larger openings that admit more sand and require major downhole work to repair. Widdesen (recorded in the motion as "Woodison") Well Services submitted the successful bid; staff said the contractor handled the recent Calder Well work for the city.

Cheney said the city plans to start procurement and preparatory work ahead of the fiscal year but does not anticipate construction to begin until after July 1, when funds are available. He said the actual construction period is uncertain because the contractor may need to test pumping and adjust gravel-pack placement; the Calder project took about four months and Viewmont is more accessible so it may be quicker, but Cheney cautioned that timing could vary.

Council members asked about inventory and timing. Cheney said materials such as specialty gravel commonly used in well rehabilitation are available but often trucked from out of state and can affect schedule; staff do not expect a supply problem. He said taking Viewmont offline during rehabilitation posed manageable risk to the system: the water department has options for blending sources and expects this year’s water conditions to be favorable for the work.

The council motion to award the contract passed with council members’ affirmative voices recorded at the meeting. Staff will schedule the work with the contractor and return status updates as construction proceeds.