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Underwood Engineers and GZA to study potential new well sites west of the river, Newfields board told
Summary
Consultants presented a six-phase hydrogeologic study to locate new water sources west of the river; the district will consider drilling both bedrock and sand-and-gravel wells and expects to sign a contract next week. Phases that would produce a production well may require a public hearing.
The Newfields Village Water & Sewer District heard a proposal June 8 from Underwood Engineers and subcontractor GZA GeoEnvironmental to locate new drinking-water sources west of the Lamprey River and will schedule a meeting next week to sign a contract.
Keith Pratt and Kyle Ruprecht of Underwood Engineers introduced James “Jamie” Emery, P.G., of GZA, who outlined a six-phase scope of work that begins with mapping and staking candidate sites, includes exploratory test borings and a preliminary report to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services if water is found, and could progress to production-well drilling, development and hydrologic reporting. “GZA has had a lot of success finding water in the seacoast area,” Emery said.
Emery told commissioners the Society property likely would require a bedrock well while a corner lot at Summer and Pleasant streets might support a sand-and-gravel well; both types will be evaluated. He said the team would notify the Commissioners within a few days if they determine the targeted area is unlikely to yield water. Emery also noted that phases 5 and 6 (drilling and hydrologic reporting) may trigger a public hearing.
Chair John Hayden and Commissioners William “Bill” Meserve and Stacey Grella agreed to schedule a follow-up meeting next week to execute the task order with Underwood Engineers. The study aims to identify possible production sources to bolster the district’s supply amid ongoing low-well levels.
The board did not vote on drilling at the June 8 meeting; the next meeting is expected to finalize the contract and to set public hearing dates if the work advances to production-well drilling.
