The California City Council approved spending the additional funds to drill a larger well, one which should be capable of producing 1,000 gallons of water a minute. The new well, approved earlier to be placed near the new water tower being built near the high school, will cost an estimated $100,000 more than the $650,000 estimated for drilling the 750 gallon a minute well originally planned. The change was approved by the Board of Aldermen at the regular monthly meeting, Monday, Nov. 3, at the City Hall. The vote followed a presentation on the status of current projects by Bob Gilbert, Bartlett and West Engineers. The subsequent discussion involved whether the larger volume was needed by the city. The 750 gallons volume would be sufficient to meet current needs, even after the century-old well near the old water tower is retired. Even so, a majority of the council by a vote 4-3 decided that future growth, occasional drought years, and the possibility of failure of one or more of the other wells, especially the "workhorse" well along Russellville Road was reason enough to spend the extra money. There is also the fact that, if a new well would be needed, it will be less expensive to drill for the extra volume at this time, rather than later.
Although the 1,000 gallon water production volume is not guaranteed, drilling deeper, and installing larger casing and pipes improves the chances of greater volume. The new well is being drilled near the new water tower on the west side of the city. All of the other high production wells are on the east side of the city. A well on the west side will mean that the new tower will have a water source closer, putting less strain on the mains and the well pumps in filling the new tower. It also takes the pressure off of the groundwater on the east side of the city. Another problem which will be helped by construction of the the new water tower and well, is the fact that the large million gallon tower on Russellville Road will be able to be filled. Presently, the tower is filled two feet lower than the top because the second tower, the one at Cargill, is two feet lower than the main tower. The choice now is leave the large one less than full, or have the smaller one overflowing and wasting water. The Cargill tower will be taken down after the new tower is built. City water came to the attention of the council for another reason. It was announced that a large main had been punctured on Cedar Street during the upgrade work being done on the city natural gas lines. Several houses were without water at the time of the discussion.
In addition to the city water system, Gilbert updated the council on planned sewer improvement design work. Work is planned for Kelly Street, Locust Street and Cooper Street and its vicinity.
Kelly Street will get new sewer and water lines first, then Ameren Missouri plans to put in new natural gas lines. Following that work, the street will be pretty much gravel and then will be repaved.
The next regular meeting is set for Monday, Dec. 1.