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Committee updates on Western well: EPA grant moves project under infrastructure bank review; RFPs await approval
Summary
The committee reported the Western well application (steered by a consultant) has been submitted to Department of Health and the infrastructure bank as part of an EPA grant; because federal/IEB funding will administer procurement, the committee cannot begin RFPs until the bank/DOH provide approvals, and construction may be disruptive to the playground area.
Committee members received an update on a proposed Western well intended to address recurring water‑quality problems at the school site. The application packet included documentation of multiple attempts to contact a neighboring property owner whose parcel slightly overlaps the well’s buffer; those contact attempts were submitted as part of the permit application.
Because the project will be funded through an EPA grant and administered in partnership with the infrastructure bank, committee members were told the bank will drive the procurement and approval timeline (including Department of Health review). Committee staff said they cannot issue RFPs or finalize contracts until those approvals are granted, though members discussed drafting an RFP in advance and holding pricing to accelerate procurement once approvals arrive.
The committee also discussed site logistics: the proposed well location is on district land but the trenching required to route water lines will cross play areas and approach the boiler room; members said work will likely be disruptive and that scheduling and safety planning (and potentially waiting for school breaks) must be part of any procurement and construction plan. The committee asked staff to pursue clarity with the infrastructure bank on whether parallel RFP preparation is feasible without jeopardizing the grant process.
Next steps: staff will continue to coordinate with the infrastructure bank and Department of Health, and will report back when approvals permit advertising an RFP or moving to the next procurement stage.
