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Town considers temporarily valving off Well 5 after bacterial 'indicator' hit; wells 7 and 4R contract signed
Summary
Public Works Director Scott Pike reported an indicator bacteria hit on Well 5 and recommended treating and possibly valving it off while exercising it weekly as a backup. Town Administrator Jason Henry said the contract for wells 7 and 4R has been signed and work is expected to start in August.
Farmington public-works officials told the Board of Selectmen on June 1 that Well 5 had an indicator bacterial result and that the town should consider treating the source and temporarily valving it off to preserve it as a backup supply.
Public Works Director Scott Pike, reporting on water system operations, said the well showed an indicator (total coliform) reading and that chlorine injection systems can fail without continuous monitoring. “There is chlorine injection over there but if you lose that there’s no way of knowing,” Pike said; he proposed valving the well off at a nearby hydrant, exercising it weekly to keep the pipework fresh, and maintaining an SOP so the well could be returned to service quickly if needed.
Selectmen endorsed a cautious approach: treat the well, prepare a documented procedure for taking it temporarily offline and exercise it regularly so it remains available as backup. Pike said Well 6 currently supplies the system and is operating below its permitted capacity; he expected the system to manage summer demands.
Separately, Town Administrator Jason Henry told the board the engineering contract for wells 7 and 4R has been signed and that consultants and contractors expect to begin outdoor work in August, with indoor work to follow through colder months.
Next steps: Public Works will draft an SOP for Well 5 operations and treatment; town staff and engineers will schedule and track work on wells 7 and 4R.
