Dunedin approves $326,672.50 well‑drilling contract to add 30th municipal well for resiliency

The City Commission approved a pulled consent item Sept. 3 to award Bid No. 20600And19 for production well drilling services to FTE Drilling USA Inc. in the amount of $326,672.50.

City Engineer Alex Zoss explained the contract covers drilling only and that the city will separately procure the above‑ground piping, electrical upgrades and controls. "This is for the actual drilling of the well. We do have to also bid out the above ground... piping and the electrical and the controls and instrumentation as well," Zoss said. Staff estimated that those above‑ground components could add "another 300 or $400,000." Zoss said the well was placed at Amberly Park because it is higher and drier (about 50 feet above sea level), already has sufficient power, and provides hydrogeological benefits by allowing some existing wells to rest.

Zoss noted Dunedin currently operates roughly 12–17 wells at a time from a 29‑well system and that the new well will be the 30th. Commissioners asked about potential interference between nearby wells and recharge rates; staff said the wells are the same depth and that permits and hydrogeological modeling are conducted through the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) and consultants before drilling. The motion to award the contract passed unanimously.