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Paragonah board green-lights two‑phase water upgrade after geotech finds fault at tank site
Summary
Sunrise Engineering briefed the Paragonah Town Board on a multi-part water system upgrade; geotechnical work found a fault under the preferred tank site, prompting the board to proceed with a two‑tier plan (well/lines and road access first, tank later) while the town secures easements and road access.
Sunrise Engineering presented the latest plan for Paragonah’s long-planned water upgrade, outlining three main parts: a full distribution-system replacement, drilling a new well near the existing source, and siting a storage tank on the southeast hill. The engineering lead (Speaker 1) said geotechnical borings discovered a fault crossing the preferred tank footprint, and engineers recommended options including moving the tank higher on the site, constructing a road to bring larger drill rigs, or splitting the work into phases.
Why it matters: The board has budgeted and pursued state funding and bids for the project for several years; the tank siting and road-access questions are the principal current barriers to breaking ground. Without a route for heavy equipment and a tank design that meets geotech constraints, key components cannot be completed.
At the meeting Speaker 1 said, “there’s the whole distribution system will get replaced. We're adding a new well… and then a tank that'll be on the southeast side, kind of up on the hill,” and noted that “the geotech went out there to the tank. They discovered a fault line that crosses right under the tank.” The engineers explained that a drill rig would need a better access road and that DNR/DWR easements and private‑property access (McPherson, Olroyd) would have to be negotiated.
Board members pressed on schedule and cost. Speaker 1 summarized prior estimates were updated in 2022 and that market prices fluctuated: “We usually plan about a 5 to 10% contingency.” The town discussed two contracting approaches: (1) a single lump-sum bid for the entire program or (2) a two‑tier approach that bids and starts the waterline and well work first while deferring tank construction until access and geotech issues are resolved. After discussion, the board favored the two‑tier approach to avoid delay and allow the Division of Drinking Water review to proceed while easement negotiations and road planning continue.
Next steps: Engineers will provide updated easement maps and a timetable, the town will reach out to affected landowners, and staff will coordinate a follow‑up meeting to finalize the procurement and any temporary road access required for drilling. The board emphasized safety and recommended having an extra worker present when trenches or open excavations are active.
The meeting closed the discussion with the board agreeing to proceed with a two‑tier plan and follow up with Sunrise/Ensign on easements and bid documents.
