Construction of new Jordan Well no longer a high priority for Newton

The construction of a new Jordan Well — a deep well used to extract fresh water — has “become a significantly lower priority” project for the City of Newton and Newton WaterWorks after they entered into a new 20-year agreement with their largest wholesale customer: Iowa Regional Utilities Association (IRUA).

Newton City Council on Oct. 20 approved a resolution deleting the scopes of work, compensation and schedule with Fox/Strand Engineering for constructing the new Jordan Well. The resolution passed in a 6-0 vote. The design of the well was nearly completed, but it will still be relevant in the future.

Following council action, the city will not have to pay the total costs outlined in the original contract with Strand Engineering. For instance, the city will still have to pay for design services and state revolving fund (SRF) assistance-related services, which amount to $210,570 and $11,009, respectively.

The city will not be charged for bidding related services and a number of construction related services. So rather than paying the firm $518,700, the city will only have to pay approximately $221,580. The city will utilize SRF loans to be paid back from water revenue funds.

FOUR NEW SHALLOW WELLS

Despite canceling the Jordan Well project for the time being, the city council also approved a task order with Stand Associates for professional services for the construction of four new alluvial wells, or shallow wells. The city’s water treatment division operates 18 alluvial wells, but many reached their useful service life.

Some of the wells are upwards of 70 years old. The 2023 Water Supply and Treatment System Facility Plan Report identified the need to replace several of the water source wells. The city’s utilities division requested a scope of services fee proposal from Strand Associates for the four alluvial wells.

Similarly to the Jordan Well construction contract, the scope of services for the four alluvial wells includes design services, bidding related services, construction related services and SRF funding assistance services. The city estimates it would cost approximately $291,200.