The MD of Willow Creek will invest $120,000 in two new water wells for Moon River Estates because it is a better solution than refurbishing the existing wells.
Council was updated on the project last month by director of infrastructure Craig Pittman.
Pittman explained that in 2022 the MD of Willow Creek completed an infrastructure study of the Moon River Estates pump station and potable water system.
The study outlined the remaining life span of the water system components and relevant replacement costs.
In late 2023, the municipality completed work on the pump station including distribution pump and motor replacements, motor starter upgrades for the well and distribution pumps, flow meter installation, auto-dialer and alarm replacements, and emergency lighting upgrades.
Another component of the project was to inspect and replace the well pumps and probes as required.
During the inspection, it was noted the existing wells are in poor condition and further determined refurbishing these wells would result in a short-term solution.
As this information was received, further work on the wells was paused to provide municipal council the opportunity to budget for a long-term solution, which would be the new wells.
MPE Engineering also provided a summary of each option.
Refurbishing the wells is a short-term fix, with an estimated cost of $40,000 to $50,000.
The existing steel well casings have an estimated remaining life expectancy of less than 10 years, and there is a risk of damaging the wells during replacement due to the condition of the well casing.
Two eight-inch wells were drilled in 1977, and a typical well life expectancy is 20 years.
Drilling new wells is a long-term fix, with an estimated cost of $120,000 to $130,000.
New stainless steel well casings have a life expectancy of more than 40 years, and MPE anticipates drilling new wells should only require an amendment to the existing well licence.
Council agreed to commit $120,000 to two new water wells in Moon River Estates.
