Othello to repair well

Othello City Council designated well 5 to be in a state of emergency to forgo the bidding process to repair it immediately.

Shaft failed

OTHELLO — Othello City Council designated well 5 to be in a state of emergency to forgo the bidding process to repair it immediately.

The well was taken offline due to a shaft failure, according to a city document.

The city declared a state of emergency because well 6 is also offline being rehabilitated and because water demand spikes during the summertime.

When well 5 was functioning, it produced 1,500 gallons of water per minute.

Council opted to fix the problem with the installation of a vertical turbine capable of producing 1,400 gallons of water per minute, according to a city document. It has a 400 horsepower motor.

The cost with tax is $246,450.

Councilmember Ken Caylor voted to approve the contract with Schneider Equipment and Councilmember Mark Snyder seconded. The vote was unanimous.

Work to repair the well will begin immediately.

— Staff report