Erick Public Works Authority

PROJECT PURPOSE

This project will be for the drilling and installation of two new water wells to serve existing customers in the City of Erick and surrounding areas. Erick?s source of drinking water is ground water produced by wells that are located approximately five miles North of Erick. With drought conditions in our region, water levels are becoming worrisome. Water wells #2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 11 are aged between 40 and 76 years and have all decreased in water production over that time period. The new wells are needed to replace the plugged and abandoned well #9. Proposed water wells #12 and #13 will along with other existing wells, provide adequate and dependable capacity to serve customers. The City of Erick will use this project to achieve a solution to the largest concern of dependability in the water system.

EVIDENCE

The existing water system in Erick consists of eight (8) existing water wells, PVC, cast iron, transit and steel water lines, a 110,000-gallon clear well, a 400,000-gallon clear well, a 250,000-gallon standpipe and a 65,000-gallon water tower. The existing wells are aged and therefore required quite a bit of maintenance to remain in working order. The City needs two (2) new water wells to replace existing Well #9 which is out of commission. Engineering reports suggest that replacement of Well #9 would provide a reliable source of potable water due to the performance of other large irrigation wells south of our current sources.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Our last income survey in 2019 determined that of 150 households surveyed, 77% of households were below average income within our service area. In the event that the installation of replacement wells must be funded by city sources, it will reluctantly cause an increase to the cost of services. Households with below average income are already straining to maintain homes with the increased costs of essential utilities, food and goods due to supply chains and shortages caused by the pandemic. These all seem to be indirect consequences from the pandemic but have become direct problems for the everyday citizen within our community and service area.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

The project will allow for the measurement of static and pumping levels individually. The total gallons per minute pumped collectively between all wells to our service area will also be used.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma