The City of Ripon recently hired Wood Rodgers, Inc. to handle the water well rehabilitation project.
In particular, Well 12, which, according to Engineering Supervisor James Pease, was modified to completely seal off the upper aquifer to eliminate the contamination of nitrates into the well and lower aquifer.
“The majority of the City’s drinking water is obtained from these lower aquifer, which offer clean water that meets the State’s drinking water standards,” he said in his Aug. 8 staff report.
Pease added that post testing revealed substantial decreases in nitrates since the modification was completed on Well 12.
The levels were still not suitable for drinking water.
He blamed the high nitrate levels at the Well 12 “as a result of fertilizer storage at a nearby facility which is no longer in service.”
While the well is not suitable for potable drinking water, Pease noted the production rate — 1,000 gallon per minute — could increase the City’s non-potable water system, which he said is nearing capacity at this time.
In order to get Well 12 back in operation, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, which oversees the contamination and cleanup efforts of the nitrate plume, will be required to review and approve the proposed pump rate.
The analysis must show that the rate here will not negatively impact or draw from the nitrate plume, Pease said.
That’s the reason for bringing aboard Wood Rodgers, Inc. for the hydro geologic assessment, summary report, and any operating recommendation for Well 12.
Wood Rodgers will handle the installation of a test pump and running an analytical model.
This part of the project is being paid via Water Enterprise Capital Fund, the staff report said.