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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: David E. Schumacher, P.E.; Superintendent of Water Production
DATE: March 25, 2019
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Authorizing the Sealing and Abandonment of Well No. 8 for the Water Production Division.
PURPOSE:
To obtain City Council authorization for Layne Christensen Company (Layne), 721 W. Illinois Avenue, Aurora, IL, to provide all necessary services as described in Layne's proposal letter (attached) to properly seal and abandon Well No. 8.
BACKGROUND:
Located at 4 E. Benton Street, Well No. 8 was drilled in 1916. Until the current water treatment plant was placed into operation in 1992, Well No. 8 was a routine source of potable water for the city. Well No. 8 is not connected to the well collector piping network to the water treatment plant due to significant costs associated with installing the lengthy pipeline.
Since 1992, the well has been inactive (not supplying water to customers) and was subsequently designated by the State of Illinois as an "emergency well" (can only pump chlorinated water directly into the potable water distribution system in an emergency). The only operation of the well has been to meet the state's bacteriological testing requirements on a monthly basis, which requires 2 hours of operation, with the water pumped to waste. The well's pumping equipment failed in August 2014 while collecting the monthly sample and has not been operational since.
In 2010, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) recommended abandonment of Well No. 8 due to the presence of volatile organic chemical (VOC) contamination in the well's water. The IEPA also cited that the wellhead is below grade and must be corrected to avoid possible contamination from flooding of the wellhead prior to the well being placed back into use. For these reasons, Well No. 8 has been under consideration for abandonment by Public Works/Water Production for several years.
To summarize, installation of VOC mitigation treatment, repair of failed pumping equipment, and wellhead piping modifications would be a significant expense for a well that has been inactive since 1992 and is not available as a raw water source to the treatment plant. The city has abundant and redundant raw water capacity from the Fox River and the well collector system (18 wells) and three additional emergency wells. Well No. 8 is no longer a practicable source water asset to the City of Aurora.
DISCUSSION:
The total estimated cost for the subject work to be completed by Layne is $130,000.00 which includes furnishing all equipment, labor and materials, and proper installation of abandonment materials per Illinois Code and the Kane County Health Department. Layne is a state licensed water well driller which is a requirement to perform proper well abandonment and sealing work in the State of Illinois.
The city entered into a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Layne in 2012 under Resolution No. R12-290, which provides a 5% discount on all labor and field services, and a 10% discount on specialized services performed by Layne. Layne will perform all work on a time and material basis and will only be compensated for the actual work performed per the terms and conditions of the PSA.
Funding was approved in CIP project #I046 for 2019 in the amount of $163,000 and available in the 2019 City Budget in Account No. 510-4058-511-73-04.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
None.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That a resolution authorizing the sealing and abandonment of Well No. 8 by Layne per the existing PSA in an amount not to exceed $140,000.00 be approved by the Mayor and City Council. It is further recommended that this matter be submitted to the Building, Grounds, and Infrastructure Committee for review and recommendation.
cc: Building, Grounds, and Infrastructure
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution Authorizing the Sealing and Abandonment of Well No. 8 by Layne Christensen Company for the Water Production Division.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Water Production Division seeks to properly seal and abandon Well No. 8 due to a long period of inactivity, water quality issues, and costly repairs; Well No. 8 is no longer a practicable source water asset to the City of Aurora; and
WHEREAS, a proposal has been received from Layne Christensen Company to perform all services necessary to properly seal and abandon Well No. 8 per Illinois Code; and
WHEREAS, a current Professional Services Agreement is in effect between the City of Aurora and Layne Christensen Company for professional services to include but not limited to water well maintenance, well equipment repair, and field services as per City of Aurora Resolution No. R12-290; and
WHEREAS, budgetary authority is granted by CIP project #I046 2019 in the amount of $163,000 and available in the 2019 City Budget in Account No. 510-4058-511-73-04;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that its Purchasing Director be and is hereby authorized to issue purchase orders for well abandonment services for Well No. 8 by Layne Christensen Company, in an amount not to exceed $140,000.00.