Council authorizes hydrogeologist contract to evaluate city water rights and wells

Public works director Mark briefed the council Oct. 20 on the city’s existing water rights, 2024 production, and intertie purchases. He reported the city’s instantaneous water-right capacity is about 2,300 gallons per minute and that during 2024 the city produced roughly 638 million gallons (including intertie purchases). Mark described an outstanding application for additional rights associated with planned Wells 10 and 11 and recommended several next steps including combining water-right filings for existing well groups, predesign/testing for wells 7 and 8, and an investigation of mitigation requirements for the pending wells 10 and 11 application.

Council asked staff about likely costs for a hydrogeologist and the range of work the consultant might perform. Mark explained the lower-cost initial tasks (combining filings, basic testing) would be in the tens of thousands, while predesign and test bore installations could be substantially more (potentially in the $100,000–$200,000 range depending on scope). After discussion about the strategic importance of controlling local water supply and the long lead times for water-right work, a council member moved and the council voted unanimously to authorize the public-works department to contract with a hydrogeologist to perform the recommended analysis and testing.

Ending: Staff will enter negotiations and retain a hydrogeologist to deliver a scope of work and cost estimate for combining filings, testing wells and evaluating mitigation for pending rights; finance and capital funding exist within current budgets to begin initial work.