Teal Road well yields lower than expected; manganese levels complicate potable use, city says

Public works staff told the Parks Board on Oct. 24 that a recently drilled well near Teal Road produced lower yields and elevated manganese, complicating plans to use it for potable water.

Staff said initial yields were about 150 gallons per minute, well below earlier hopes of 1,500 gpm. After further well development yields improved to around 500 gpm, but water-quality testing showed high iron and manganese. Further flushing reduced iron to acceptable levels but manganese remained above target. Staff said adding treatment for manganese would carry significant capital and ongoing operating costs.

The city is coordinating with its consultants and the Department of Ecology to expand water-right areas and is assessing whether funding committed to the Teal Road well could transfer to a new site if the well is not used for potable supply. Staff said Ecology should provide an answer by Dec. 1, though the agency can extend that timeline by 30 days. One option is to use the drilled well for irrigation rather than potable water while drilling a new potable well at an alternative location.

No formal decision was taken at the meeting; staff said options and funding questions remain under evaluation.