By Jolene Farley
Officials in Beaver Creek are waiting for the results of a camera probe of the city well to determine if they can fix the existing well or if they need to drill a new well.
"We’ve got a problem with the old well," said Beaver Creek Mayor Al Blank. "We’re getting a bit of sand in the water."
City employee Lloyd DeBoer and some residents began noticing sand in the water two to three weeks ago.
He said DeBoer immediately slowed the flow and began flushing the hydrants closest to the well periodically hoping to decrease the amount of sand in the water.
The council hired Thein Well, Spicer, to pull the pump and send a submersible camera down the 30-year–old well so officials can determine the extent of the problem. Work on the well was scheduled to begin Tuesday.
The problem appears to stem from a screen in the well that allows water through but is supposed to filter out sand and other solid materials. The screens can deteriorate with age.
The decision to fix the well or drill a new one will hinge on cost, according to Blank. An optimistic estimate for drilling a new city well is $50,000.
"I think in another week we probably will have devised a plan of action," he said.
Blank said the council hasn’t determined where to drill another well if the need arises.
"We don’t know where to drill," he said. "The health department has a lot to say about where you can and cannot drill a well."
The council explored hooking up to the Rock County Rural Water System, but decided against it, due to cost.
The council received a quote of $219,000 for initial hookup and a charge of $1.85 per thousand gallons of water for usage.
"The council and myself have agreed that that’s not an option," said Blank. "The cost would be to great."
Residents shouldn’t be concerned about running out of water. Even though the pumps are slowed, they still keep up with the winter demand for water, Blank said.
Residents also shouldn’t be concerned about the quality of drinking water.
Periodic water testing is required by the Environmental Protection Agency and the water is safe.
Though the well problems have been linked to a recent earthquake in Nebraska and South Dakota, Blank said that’s not the likely cause.
He said although there has been a rash of well problems that developed around the region after the quake, it would be a long jump to connect the two incidents.