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Water system status: Normal operation
2023-2024 New Well / Capital Improvement Project
2023-2024 New Well / Capital Improvement Project
After 5 years of planning, setbacks, and obtaining a USDA loan, our New Well / Capital Improvement Project began in the fall of 2023.
Background
Background
In 2017, our current well (now nearly 50 years old) began pumping larger amounts of sand. The association looked at several different options:
Rehabilitation of the well--which might be a simple job taking a couple days or a complex job taking a couple weeks, which would leave the community without water for an extended period
Drilling a second well at the current location--not ideal since our current well is in a high risk area for saltwater intrusion
Connecting to Coupeville water--very expensive, since we would need to pay to bring the water main down Parker Road along with at least $9,000 per home in hookup fees, not to mention higher water usage rates.
Connecting to a small residential well to which we have water rights--the well was too small for our system and also on a residence that is not part of our system
Drilling a second well at an existing location in the community where we had a pre-existing water easement--this would give our community a redundant water source outside the high-saltwater-risk zone
The community chose the last option, and decided to pursue low-interest USDA Rural Development loans to finance the project over 40 years. We worked with DCG on the well design and project management.
In 2023, the project planning was finalized and put out for bid. Larry Brown Construction was the low bidder and was awarded the contract.
Project Scope
Project Scope
Multiple items are being addressed with this project:
A new well drilled about 1500 feet away from the current well
Trenching for piping and control conduit connecting the new well with the current pumphouse
Replacing the 3 booster pumps for the pressure system
Replacing the outdated electrical and pump controls in the pumphouse
Elastomeric lining on the top of the water reservoir
Installation of a reservoir bypass to the pressure system
Installation of an air vac valve at the high point of the gravity system to remedy air-block issues whenever the gravity system is shutdown
Rehabilitation of the current well (likely to include a new well pump)
Cost
Cost
Total cost for the project is projected to be approximately $550,000. To help with financing, we obtained two USDA loans totaling $542,000, to be paid off over 40 years. This is being paid off by the association homeowners through the currently $55/month New Well capital fund assessment.
Pictures
Pictures
The new well location marked
Trees cleared and gravel road created to new well location
The well drilling rig in action in the background
Lynde Way, where part the new water line and conduit was buried
Trenching through the existing water easements between the new well location and the current pumphouse to lay the new water pipe and control conduit.
Trenching complete: pipe and conduit laid and trench backfilled
one of several new access boxes for the conduit
New well piping connected to the current water system!
First of 3 new booster pumps installed (foreground)
New well, complete and waiting for PSE to install the electric meter
New air vac valve at the high point of the gravity system, along the road to the pumphouse
New roof coating on the reservoir
Three new matching pressure booster pumps
New master control panel in the pumphouse, with new red warning lights for reservoir level and green lights to indicate active pumps
The new reservoir bypass installed in the pumphouse
The new well on Ambey Lane
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