City wells continue to falter

Last week a second city well began experiencing problems, putting the city’s water system in a precarious position. This time the Koch well faltered and appeared to be blowing air, an indication the aquifer had dropped and the well’s pumping system was struggling to extract water.

Public Works Director Larry Swift said this week that the city is currently using just one well to meet demand — Well No. 8, the city’s primary well.

In June Well No. 8 was taken offline when it stopped delivering its average of 1,200 gallons per minute.

The city learned in June the water level in the No. 8 well had dropped about 20 feet. As a result, the well pump was sucking air. The well is 964 feet deep. Inside is a 12-inch casing that goes from the surface of the well down 691 feet. From that point a 10-inch pipe extends down to 740 feet.

In 2002, according to Swift, the static water level of Well No. 8 was at 650 feet. Today the water level has dropped to 670 feet. As a result, the bowls, impellers located in the well that help drive water up to the pumping system, are struggling to lift the water.

In June the Ritzville City Council approved $40,000 for repairs to Well No. 8, installing new bowls. Since the water level in the well had dropped, a different sized set of bowls was installed in order to reach the water. The result was a loss in the well’s overall performance. It now pumps 1,000 gallons per minute versus the 1,200 gpm it previously produced.

The situation with the Koch well, the city’s back up well that traditionally delivers 750 gpm, developed early last week.

Swift said a pump repairman determined last week that water is cascading down inside the Koch well, dropping below optimum level.

There is a chance, Swift said, the aquifer at the Koch well site has been lowered as a byproduct of the falling water level at Well No. 8.

The Koch well is still online but not being used. And if necessary the city could use its third well, the Rodeo well.

Mayor Linda Kadlec instituted water restrictions for the city’s largest users last week. The restrictions will remain in place at least through Friday of this week. Swift explained that the largest users of water for irrigation within the city have been asked to water just once a week. The list of restricted users includes Ritzville School District, Life Care Center, Rose Garden Estates, Ritzville Municipal Golf Course, the cemetery and the city parks.

As a result of the watering restrictions, the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague football team moved its daily practices to Lind starting on Monday to reduce excess wear on the football field until regular watering patterns can be used again.

Swift stressed that this isn’t a time to panic for city water users. He said Well No. 8 has been meeting the demand of water users in the city since the large users have been restricted.

There are no plans to require citizens to restrict their water use at this time. Swift did say voluntary water conservation would help ease the strain on Well No. 8. Swift said the well’s pump has been running 24 hours a day to keep the city water system properly supplied.