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Fairfax council closes SRF environmental hearing, approves plans and engineer’s estimate for Well No. 4
Summary
After a public hearing found no significant environmental impacts, council approved final plans and a contract estimate for the city’s new production well No. 4 and an observation well. Bids are scheduled to be opened later this month; an engineer’s estimate was $1.21 million.
The Fairfax City Council closed a State Revolving Fund environmental hearing for a project to drill a new production well (Well No. 4) and install an observation well on the Bell property and voted to approve the plans, specifications and engineer’s estimate for construction.
Shane (city staff) presented the environmental review and said phase one of the project covers drilling and developing Well No. 4 and installing an observation well to test site suitability for a future well field; phase two would include a possible new treatment facility and service lines if needed. The environmental review identified no significant impacts provided standard mitigation measures are met (for example, an NPDES general permit for construction stormwater and monitoring if protected resources are encountered).
Council asked how the design population projection (about 4,900 by 2042 in the environmental documents) relates to water demand and whether the observation well’s test pumping will influence plans for additional wells. Shane said test pumping will determine actual yields and the observation well will help assess whether a fifth or sixth well may be necessary.
Staff also noted that plans and specifications are currently out for bid with bids scheduled to be opened on the 19th; the engineer’s probable-cost estimate for site work and well construction was reported at $1.21 million. At the meeting the council moved, seconded and adopted a resolution providing final approval of the plans, specifications and form of contract for Water Supply Well No. 4; a roll-call vote was recorded at the meeting (individual votes were not transcribed in the record).
Next steps: bids will be opened as scheduled and the council will consider award at a subsequent meeting if the low bid is within budget and the SRF requirements are met.
