Derby council authorizes testing for potential new well field; PEC contracted for $169,390

Dan Squires, Derby's development director, told the council the city is pursuing potential additional water rights roughly 2.5 miles from the existing well fields and recommended contracting for test wells and hydrogeologic services.

Squires said the study that preceded tonight’s request indicated possible available water near the city’s existing infrastructure and that the next step is to drill test holes, install test wells and perform pumping and water-quality assessments. He told council members the city has not yet executed any land-purchase or easement agreements with the landowner where testing would occur.

"This is, just something that, usually you're talking about a lot of times flying in professional drillers, you're bringing in a groundwater hydrologist that's doing the evaluation," Squires said, describing the scope of the proposed work.

Engineering consultant PEC submitted a proposed scope and fee of $169,390, and council member Coleman moved to authorize execution of an agreement with PEC for an amount not to exceed that sum. The motion passed by voice vote, 8-0.

Council members asked clarifying questions about next steps and the contingency that testing will not proceed if the city and landowner do not finalize an access agreement. Squires emphasized the work is investigatory: the contract will fund testing and evaluation only, and any future purchase or permanent rights acquisition would be separate and contingent on results and negotiations.

The contract authorization sends the item to staff for scheduling of drillers and hydrologists and for coordination with the landowner and regulatory permitting as required for test-well work.