The Yorkville City Council is looking to repair the city’s back-up water supply.
At a recent meeting, officials cast a unanimous to remove the pump and motor and to proceed by televising the city’s well no. 3
The city was notified recently of issues related to mechanical failure pertaining to well no. 3.
“We had noticed a grinding sound so we immediately turned it off,” said Eric Dhuse, director of public works. “… It was one of the original wells. It doesn’t produce as much water. We use it sparingly because it has a tendency to produce sand with water.”
Dhuse said the generation of sand requires city staff to execute an extra process and that’s one step officials are looking to eliminate.
In order to determine what repairs are necessary, officials took action to approve the televising of the well to examine if there’s a lot of sand, assess the condition of the well and determine how much sand is deposited at the bottom of the source.
In 2009, the city paid $21,216 for repairs costs associated with well no. 3.
In 2008, repair projects related to the back-up water supply amounted to $99,617.
In 2004, the city accounted for $89,234 in repair costs pertaining to well no. 3.
Dhuse said the city is looking to repair well no. 3 and said those on staff don’t feel that switching to another back-up water supply poses as a reason for concern at this time.
“We have plenty of storage and adequate supply,” he said.
The current capacity for the well operates for approximately 25,000 people.
“When it gets closer (to full capacity), then we’ll need to decide if we need to drill another well or look at an alternate supply,” Dhuse said.
Dhuse said over the years, the city has been decreasing its reliance on the back-up water source. Yorkville has gone from using the well everyday to as little as once or twice month, he said.
Dhuse said one reason the city may repair replace well no. 3, rather than find a replacement, is because residents are using less and less water.
City approval allows Layne Christensen Company to perform the contractual services in an amount estimated at $25,000-$30,000.