Manteca needs to drill two new water wells.

The only problem in doing so they would have to break adopted municipal ordinances regarding overnight noise as it takes at least 72 hours or more of continuous drilling of a borehole and installing steel casing inside it.

To make it legal, city staff has recommended the council amend the Manteca Municipal Code Public Health and Safety sections pertaining to noise.

As outlined in the city ordinance the use or operation of any construction equipment between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. that is sufficiently loud to be plainly audible at the property line from which the sound is emanating is illegal.

The second ordinance amendment to allow wells to be installed at Shasta and Yosemite parks without the city violating its own ordinances will be considered by the City Council Tuesday when they meet at 7 p.m. at the Civic Center, 1001 W. Center St.

The latest amendment adds municipal well drilling and municipal well casing installation to a list of public health and safety activities that are exempted from the overnight time restrictions. Other activities already exempted include debris and limb removal on public right of way, removal of damaged poles and vehicles, removal of downed wires, repair of traffic signals, repair of water hydrants and mains, gas lines, oil lines, and sewers, restoration of electrical service, street sweeping, unplugging sewers, and vacuuming catch basins. The regular testing of motorized equipment and pumps such as on city wells are not exempted.

The noises the boring of the water wells will create are primarily associated with the running of a large diesel generator to power the drilling equipment.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com