On Feb. 3, Snowflake’s Water Well No. 4 failed and Well No. 2 was off-line. “This is a significant piece around the temple,” Town Manager Paul Watson advised the town council Feb. 8.
“The pump had failed and we needed someone out as quickly as possible to evaluate the extent of the damage and what needed to be done,” explained Watson as he asked the council to approve payment for emergency work on the pump.
The water supervisor contacted Willis Drilling and Pump, which had previously worked on the well, to pull the submersible pump assembly, determine the cause of the failure and make the appropriate repairs.
When the pump was pulled initial observation indicated that the pump screening had collapsed and it appeared that the pump had ingested foreign materials.
“It was determined the pump needed to be replaced,” said Watson. “The motor had some significant play in the shaft in the pump.” He explained that if the pump was replaced, the company could not guarantee it because of the play in the shaft, so it was determined that both needed to be replaced.
Watson said that they will look at the pump and rebuild it if possible so the town will have a back up in the future.
“The reason Mayor (Kelly Willis) declared a conflict of interest is under this emergency, staff contacted his son” at Willis Well Drilling and Pump Company, said Watson. “They were very responsive, getting out there immediately and took care of the situation as quickly as they could to get it (the well) back in service.”
Backup material provided to the council states, “On Feb. 4, Willis Pump notified the town that the pump motor shaft was sheared and excessive play was evident. At this point, the town manager was asked to declare an emergency and the pump motor was ordered.”
Willis Drilling informed the town that the installation of a submonitor would extend the motor warranty from one year to three years and town staff agreed, authorizing the work.
The council unanimously approved the repair costs for repair Water Well No. 4 to Willis Drilling and Pump Co. in an amount not to exceed $18,600, with Mayor Willis declaring a conflict of interest. The council also approved Resolution No. 11-551, declaring this an emergency.
