City authorizes $20,870 to hook Manhattan Park irrigation to city water after well failure

The East Grand Rapids City Commission authorized a $20,870 contract to connect Manhattan Park’s irrigation system to city water after staff said the park’s well recently failed.

Director Melville told commissioners the athletic fields historically ran off a well; a recent, unexplained failure left the city choosing between drilling a new well (estimates above $40,000 and ongoing maintenance) or tying the irrigation into the municipal supply. Staff recommended connecting to city water, citing improved reliability, reduced maintenance and better aesthetics; the wellhouse could be removed and the concrete staining associated with well water would be reduced.

Melville said the city obtained pricing from Tuberan Construction, which already has crews in town performing lead service line replacements, and that the contractor’s pricing aligned with existing contract rates. He said costs for outside review or related development work would be billed to developer escrow when applicable. During interim operations crews are manually filling irrigation from hydrants.

When commissioners asked about ongoing costs, Melville estimated annual charges for irrigation water would be in the range of about $3,000 to $4,000 per year depending on weather; those charges would be incorporated into the city’s utility budget. A question about scheduling received an estimate that work could be completed within a couple of weeks because the contractor is already mobilized in the community.

Commissioners asked whether user groups would be disrupted; staff said there would be no anticipated impact on recreation leagues. The motion to authorize the $20,870 proposal carried on a voice vote.