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Cedar City authorizes smaller test bit and drawdown test to evaluate Martin’s Flat deep well
Summary
After slow drilling (about 4 inches/hour) at Martin’s Flat, council agreed staff should allow the driller to switch to a smaller diameter 'telescoping' bit to speed progress and authorized a state‑certified drawdown test and camera inspection to assess formation and water quality before committing to major expenditures.
City staff updated the council on slow progress drilling the Martin's Flat test well and recommended allowing the contractor to 'telescope' to a smaller bit to see if progress improves. Staff said the current drilling rate is roughly "4 inches per hour," noted the contractor has tried multiple bit types, and said the reduced diameter would be a test to penetrate a formation that is slowing the rig.
Council members focused on two questions: whether a smaller test hole would materially change water‑quality results and whether the resulting production hole would later need to be re‑bored to full diameter. Mayor Garth O'Brien said the critical question is whether the drilling will reach the Navajo Sandstone formation and the quality of water from that formation. "The one thing we need to know more than any other thing is... is the Navajo sandstone within our reach or is it not?" he said.
Staff proposed two drawdown/test options and recommended extra due diligence, including pulling the neighboring pump and running a camera to inspect casing and perforations; one option quoted a test pump cost of about $27,000 if staff uses the existing adjacent pump, and about $39,000 for the option that pulls the existing pump and uses a test pump with a VFD for better measurements. Council favored the more thorough option as reasonable due diligence.
Funding: staff said the short‑term cash to do the drawdown test could come from the Martin's Flat budget with a planned budget revision in December to reallocate Rush Lake water funds later. Council agreed to give staff direction to proceed so the contractor can schedule mobilization in roughly 1–2 weeks.
Next steps: authorize telescoping to the smaller bit to attempt faster drilling, proceed with a state‑certified drawdown test and run a downhole camera; staff to return with test results and recommendations before committing major capital for well purchase or treatment.
