Commission discusses Well House No.5 rehab and $1.2M water‑tower repairs

Ventnor City commissioners discussed two water‑system capital projects during the March 26 meeting and placed both on the consent agenda for adoption.

Commissioner Langrath told the commission that Postine Associates completed design work for Well House No. 5 and that the facility — a potable water source — needs rehabilitation; he described a project “not to exceed roughly $500,000” that will be started soon. The project was presented as necessary maintenance for a well that supplies potable water to the city.

On the North Story Avenue water tower, Langrath said inspectors found additional structural issues in the tower’s bowl and recommended repairing and replacing corroded structural members now while crews are mobilized, to avoid a second shutdown and the operational burden of draining the tank. The figure discussed on the record for the additional work was $1,199,400; Langrath said doing the work now is more efficient than repeating shutdown and draining operations later.

Commissioners noted the projects will require coordination with public works operations and regulatory testing before returning the water tower to service. Both items were included in the package of consent resolutions the commission adopted later in the meeting.

"They found more structural members rusting severely," Langrath said, summarizing the inspection report.

Next steps: staff will finalize contracting and scheduling so repair work can proceed ahead of peak summer demand.