Caro City Council approves change orders to test unexpected shallow aquifer at Well 3A

Caro City Council on a unanimous vote authorized two change orders allowing staff to drill an additional observation well and run capacity and quality tests at the Well 3A replacement site after contractors encountered an unexpected upper granular deposit during replacement drilling.

The council approved a $27,363 change order to Northern Well & Pump and a $17,920 change order to WSP, and authorized the city manager to sign contracts and the treasurer to adjust the FY 2026‑27 budget to cover the costs. The measures were presented as exploratory work to identify whether a shallower, screened well (roughly 140 feet deep) could provide a usable, higher‑quality water source in addition to or instead of the deeper bedrock well.

Why it matters: staff and consultants said the discovery — a granular zone above what earlier logs identified as bedrock — could change the city’s options for long‑term water supply at that site. Procuring test data now, they argued, could avoid higher capital and operating expenses later if a different well design is required.

Consultant Mark Swatman (WFP), who led the presentation, told the council the original 1956 boring did not show the upper unit and that crews had to drill deeper than expected (to roughly 290 feet) to reach bedrock. He said crews installed an observation casing to collect water‑quality samples and run preliminary capacity tests, and recommended installing a second, shallower screened observation well to pump‑test the upper zone. “There appears to be something there; I think we should look at it,” Swatman said during the presentation.

Staff emphasized that the work is exploratory and that test results will determine next steps. Water‑quality lab results from the initial observation well are expected in about two weeks; if results show quality concerns for the deeper bedrock, that would strengthen the case for the shallower test well. The council approved the change orders after short debate; the motion passed on a roll‑call vote with all members recorded as voting yes.

What happens next: contractors will schedule the additional observation well work and perform pump tests and laboratory analyses. Staff said they will report findings to council when test results are complete and before committing to larger capital drilling or construction.

Clarifying details: the two change orders approved were described in the meeting as $27,363 (Northern Well & Pump) and $17,920 (WSP); the city manager and treasurer were authorized to execute contracts and amend the FY 2026‑27 budget accordingly. Initial water‑quality test turnaround was stated as about two weeks.