City manager says test well at gravel pit could boost supply; council asked to weigh water allocation policy

City Manager Neil gave a detailed update on the city's water infrastructure plans and related policy choices, including possible drilling at a former gravel pit and reconsideration of the city’s 'will-serve' allocation approach for new development.

Neil said Well 9 is online and HDR, the city's contractor, is expected to deliver a report soon. He noted historical records indicate a well on the gravel pit property previously recorded "over 2,000 gallons a minute," and said staff plans to drill a test well to determine yield. "We need to drill a test well 1st, which was already in the scope to, ensure what we can get from that well," he said. If testing proves favorable, the plan could place two wells at the site—one to feed the system and a low-pressure well to fill storage—potentially reducing the number of wellhead buildings to construct.

Neil warned that until new well and storage are online, the city may be limited in issuing 'will-serve' letters for some developments and could require notifying applicants that service will be delayed until the infrastructure is complete. He said the city should consider creating a water development plan—similar to a wastewater plan the city obtained by changing state law—that would allow monitoring real flows and allocating capacity by benchmarks rather than locking up capacity on paper for 10–20 years.

Neil asked the council for policy guidance on whether to retain the current first-come, first-serve allocation policy or reserve capacity for particular priorities such as commercial or affordable housing.