One new well is ready for testing, crews prepare to finish drilling the second

The week of, Jan. 9, crews are expected to take the next steps to add two new wells to the city’s water supply. Both wells are located in Quail Ridge Park, north of Zeller Street, west of Highway 965.

Drilling of the shallower Silurian Aquifer well is complete, but the contractor will pump up to 600 gallons per minute from the well for 72 hours to test its capacity. The process will test how quickly the well can recharge itself. This water cannot enter the water supply and will be discharged into the city’s storm water system.

At approximately the same time, a second crew will install additional sound barriers on the south side of the site and prepare to complete drilling of the deeper and more productive Jordan Aquifer well. Then, as early as Monday, Jan. 16, the crew will start drilling that well. Drilling will occur around the clock to maintain the integrity of the well. Once the crew begins, drilling is expected to take four weeks or more.

During work, the city and the contractor will monitor sound levels around the site. Noise levels at the property line are not to exceed 65 dB (in the range of normal conversation) between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. and not exceed 75 dB during the day.