The City Council has awarded a $311,500 construction contract to Best Drilling and Pump, Inc. for the Well 6 Pump Replacement Project, a key initiative aimed at restoring the well’s production capacity.

This project is funded through the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Adopted Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget, utilizing resources from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) 2021 Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief Program (UMDRP) Grant and the Water Enterprise Fund (Fund 44). Importantly, the grant does not require matching funds; however, the City will be responsible for any costs that exceed the grant amount.

The need for this project arises from a significant decrease in Well 6’s production, which has fallen from 1,450 gallons per minute (gpm) to 1,250 gpm. An energy efficiency assessment revealed that the well is currently operating at just 37.2% overall plant efficiency (OPE). The planned rehabilitation and pump replacement is expected to enhance production by an estimated 320 acre-feet per year and increase OPE to an ambitious 72%. This upgrade is projected to yield annual energy savings of approximately 167,231 kilowatt-hours, translating to a financial benefit of around $14,750.

The project has been facilitated by the DWR’s UMDRP, which includes a specific allocation for Disadvantaged Communities Involvement (DACI). The Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA) has been appointed as the program manager for these funds, and the Fullerton Well 6 Rehabilitation project was selected for its potential to significantly boost production and energy efficiency. The City signed the grant agreement on October 26, 2022, with the deadline for project completion originally set for September 30, 2024, but now extended to December 31, 2025, with no further extensions allowed.

The overall project consists of two phases: Phase 1 involves the rehabilitation of the well, which has already been completed, while Phase 2 focuses on pump replacement. This phase includes the replacement of the discharge head, column pipes, lineshaft, pump bowls, and impellers, along with modifications to the new discharge head piping.

On March 25, 2025, the City received five bids for the project, with Best Drilling and Pump, Inc. of Colton, CA submitting the lowest responsible bid. Following an evaluation of the bid by city staff, it was deemed acceptable.

Construction for the pump replacement is tentatively slated to begin in October 2025, with an anticipated completion date by December 2025, aligning with the DWR Grant requirements. A thorough environmental assessment conducted in accordance with California Environmental Quality Act guidelines concluded that the project is categorically exempt from further review.

This information is from the backup material for April 15, 2025 City Council.