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Board approves emergency 24‑inch well to restore water capacity; contract estimate $270,890
Summary
City water staff told the Board two aging wells were failing and recommended drilling a single 24‑inch replacement well to restore capacity; the board approved signing the contract and starting permitting, estimated cost $270,890.
La Porte water officials told the Board of Public Works and Safety that two aging wells in a key well field were failing and producing less than 500 gallons per minute combined, prompting staff to seek emergency authority to drill a single, larger well.
"We currently have three wells out there. The number one and number three are both failing on us… the total between those two wells currently is less than 500 gallons a minute," Water Superintendent Tim Warner said, describing attempts to restore capacity and the decision to drill a 24‑inch well expected to pump roughly 1,000 gpm. Warner recommended signing a contract with a drilling firm; the quote he cited was $270,890.
Warner told the board the replacement well would use some existing infrastructure (power, SCADA, piping) and would lower pumping costs while restoring reliable output. He characterized the work as replacing old infrastructure and said permitting with the state (IDM) takes about 60 days, creating urgency for approval.
Board members voted to authorize the emergency action and to proceed with permitting and contract execution.
What’s next: Staff will begin the permitting process and prepare site review materials as required by state permitting rules.
