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Council approves $67,000 contract amendment for Well House 4 disinfection testing and technical support
Summary
After tests returned coliform positives at a rehabilitated well, council approved an amendment to JUB Engineers’ contract (up to $67,000 total) for observation, hydrogeologist review and optional third‑party testing, with staff reserving rights to pursue contractor remedies.
The Post Falls City Council approved a contract amendment to retain additional technical support from the engineer of record as the city works to disinfect Well House 4 following positive coliform tests.
Andrew Arbini, projects division manager in Public Works, told the council construction of the well rehabilitation is complete but initial bacteriological tests came back positive for coliform. Arbini said the well is isolated from the city system and not supplying drinking water while staff and the contractor work on disinfection.
Arbini outlined the proposed amendment to JUB Engineers: a $32,000 increase to the observation task (time-and-materials) and an optional support task for third-party testing, bringing the requested authorization to about $67,000 total. He described the additional work as consulting with the engineer, a hydrogeologist and producing a more robust testing and disinfection plan.
"We cannot bring the well into service until we can prove and provide that we've achieved a clean well," Arbini told the council.
Public Works Director John Beacham and other staff said JUB, as engineer of record, had reviewed contractor reports and identified deficiencies in meeting the specification. Beacham said the city needs an independent technical adviser to evaluate whether the contractor followed the contract and to recommend remedial steps. He explained that staff lacks the field experience to resolve the unusual persistence of coliform after construction and that JUB’s involvement preserves the city’s remedies under contract.
Some council members pressed whether the contractor followed the specification and whether the city should pay for fixes caused by possible contractor error. One council member noted the retainage on the project (approximately $60,000) and staff said retainage could be used to cover the amendment while preserving the city’s right to pursue recovery if contractor noncompliance is later demonstrated.
After extended questioning about testing methods, dosing, contact time and casing constraints, the council moved to approve the amendment. The motion passed by roll call. Staff said next steps include implementing the revised testing/disinfection plan, engaging the hydrogeologist, continuing documentation, and revisiting responsibility if the investigation indicates contractor fault.
The council’s vote authorizes the immediate additional oversight and testing intended to get the well to a disinfected status and preserve the city’s contractual remedies.
