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Union City tables decision on four village wells pending testing and cost estimates
Summary
On May 5, 2026, the Union City council discussed two options for four formerly active village wells—testing and rehabilitating them for chlorinated service or formally abandoning and sealing them—and voted to table any final decision until staff returns with detailed testing results and all‑in cost estimates.
Union City council members on May 5 spent an extended portion of their meeting weighing whether to reinstate or formally abandon four public water wells that were taken out of service more than two decades ago.
Staff presented written quotes and an initial evaluation from contractors, including a proposal described as testing and developing a rehabilitation plan and an alternate quote to formally abandon and seal the wellheads to meet Ohio EPA requirements. Council members and staff emphasized there is no guarantee the wells remain viable after long vacancy; testing is required to determine pump, rehabilitation and chlorination costs and whether each well can meet current standards.
Council discussion focused on tradeoffs: rehabilitating one or more wells could reduce purchases of water from neighboring systems but could require new on‑site chlorination equipment, pump replacements and other capital work; abandoning the wells would remove potential EPA liability but could forfeit future local water supply options. Staff warned the Ohio EPA may view the village as out of compliance if wells linger unused without formal abandonment paperwork, which affects the timing and regulatory burden of either path.
Given the uncertain price range and technical unknowns, the council voted to table the question and directed staff to return with ballpark best‑ and worst‑case total costs per well, an estimate of mobilization and testing fees, and any Ohio EPA compliance implications or timeline constraints. The item will be reconsidered after the council receives those figures and the contractor testing results.
