Dixon’s Water Distribution Division operations maintenance supervisor Josh Hudson explains to the mayor and council why Valley Glen Well needs immediate repairs to service the city with clean, safe water. Photo by Angela Underwood

DIXON, CA (MPG) – City of Dixon officials adopted a $119,000 resolution to continue work on the Valley Glen Well Project in southern Dixon.

Vice-Mayor Kevin Johnson said in a May 7 council meeting that the "repeat problem" is not ideal for the well installed in 2003, which came with an 80- to 100-year guarantee. More than a quarter of a million dollars later, it seems unfair, according to Johnson, who said that as a "protector of the ratepayers," spending more money "doesn't feel right."

"There were $2 to $300,000 in repairs last year, and now there is another $120,000," Johnson added. "Where is the warranty? We are the subcontractors on this; why are we having to do it again?"

Water Distribution Division operations maintenance supervisor Josh Hudson explained that a problem last year with the well's pump and motor caused further issues that the division is facing now, on top of a hole in the well's casing.

Although the well system is supposed to have a lifespan of several decades, Hudson said, its component parts have shorter lifespans than the overall structure, which could be the case with recent failures.

Following the meeting, senior civil engineer Brandon Rodriguez told the Independent Voice that the groundwater well rehabilitation project must happen since Dixon's water distribution system is totally dependent on groundwater and "having one well offline creates increased stress on the other wells, especially as we enter the high-demand season when temperatures rise."

In this instance, the civil engineer said, the approximately 20-year-old pump, motor and instrumentation original to the well were identified for rehab and upgrade.

"Notably, this groundwater well was inherited in 2014 when the City of Dixon took over ownership of the municipal water system," Rodriquez said, adding that the Dixon water distribution system is interconnected. "This rehabilitation effort would service all City of Dixon water customers in its service area."

Up to $15,000 is slotted for additional expenses, including high market costs.

 "It is normal practice to set aside a contingency for any capital project," public information officer Madeline Graf said. "If this money is unused, it will be returned to the original fund."

According to Rodriguez, a budget transfer is required in this instance because the original project budget did not account for the unanticipated additional rehabilitation effort required to successfully complete the project.

"Currently, additional airlift swabbing of the well to collapse any voids in the gravel pack that may exist is warranted to address the unwanted sanding condition of this well that is a detrimental condition for our pump and motor," Rodriquez said. "This continued rehabilitation effort and test pumping performed by the contractor should be completed prior to pump and motor installation."

According to the civil engineer, a third-party groundwater well specialist has confirmed the needed work and timing is key.

"We are entering the warmer months of the year, which are known as high-demand water season, so completion of this project is critical to supplement the other groundwater wells that may be having to work harder to make up the difference," Rodriquez said.

The City of Dixon water operations division strives to provide clean and safe water to all its customers, according to Rodriquez, who added, "When it comes to unexpected repairs with Valley Glen well, costs are considered and budgeted appropriately as needed for all maintenance activities to ensure the reliability of our water infrastructure."