Superior begins search for additional wells

 

March 11, 2021



Looking to the future, members of the Superior City Council Monday evening authorized contracting with Olsson Associates to begin identifying options for adding to the community’s present water supply.

Andrew Brittenham, the city’s utilities manager, said, the city wells located northeast of the community are adequately meeting current needs. However, he optimistically, said additional water may be needed in five to 10 years. Currently the city is operating five wells and has one on standby. The current well field was developed in the 1970s. It replaced a well field in the Republican River Valley south of the community.

The wells provide drinking water and fire protection water for the City of Superior and the Village of Hardy.

Nine wells were installed between 1971 and 1973. Five of those are in continuous operation, three have been disconnected from the system and are not being used.

The wells are tested annually to verify their operation in addition to checking drawdown and hydraulic capacity.

As part of the study, the engineering firm will review current and historical data to determine potential sites for the drilling of test wells. The study will cost $30,000.

In a related matter, Brittenham reported the current project replacing a water main along Bloom Street is about half done. As the same contractor, Van Kirk Brothers, has the contract for the project’s second phase, work on extending the line north along Idaho Street will begin immediately following the completion of the first phase.

The utility manager warned the second phase may cause more traffic disruption. While both projects parallel Highway 14, the second phase will be in a more residential neighborhood and the street is not as wide.

The council approved on third and final reading an ordinance relating to the collection of utility payments and the deposits required before service can begin.

The council declared a residence at 348 East Fourth Street to be a public nuisance. The structure has been vacant since damaged by a fire in the fall of 2020.

On Jan. 14, the city clerk sent a registered letter advising the owner of the need to correct several deficiencies before Feb. 15. The clerk reported the work had not been started.

The five members of the council voted unanimously to declare the property a nuisance. This clears the way for the city staff to force compliance which may involve removal of the house.

Before adjourning, the council went into executive session to review the city’s bill for natural gas supplied during the February cold wave.

 

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