Othello looks for a water solution

OTHELLO - The City of Othello will investigate a contaminated well to see if it can be transformed into a viable source of water.

Monday the council unanimously approved using $32,000 from the water fund to hire an engineering firm to investigate where the contaminants are entering well number six and offer solutions.

Well six has excessive levels of fluoride.

The firm is to identify the high flow levels and where the fluoride is coming from, Municipal Services Coordinator Jay Van Ness said. Once finished, the engineers will present possible solutions to the city.

When the solutions are presented, the city will consider the solutions and determine a course of action.

"We need to make this well viable," Councilmember Marc Spohr said.

He said he has a bad feeling the engineering firm may not be able to identify the problems because the necessary technology to find the problem may not be available.

"I think there's a good possibility they might not find what they're looking for," Spohr said.

Van Ness said a camera will be inserted down the well to ensure the proper tools can be put down the well.

The work will be done while the well is pumping to get a clear picture of where the fluoride is coming from, he said.

"I think we've got to take the chance," Spohr said.

At a previous meeting, council was presented with a solution to eliminate the fluorides. If the firm can identify what level the fluorides are entering the well, concrete can be poured to block the entry point.

Well number six is designated for emergencies. It was drilled approximately 30 years ago and pumps about 3,100 gallons of water per minute. It is the largest well in the city.

Councilmembers Eleanor Brodahl and Dale Wayman were absent from the meeting.