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1. How big of a site is needed?

A municipal water well needs a 100-ft x 100-ft control area, but the fenced yard can be smaller than that.  The well must also meet certain setbacks from other types of pipelines which limit where the well can be placed.  The well and associated equipment fit in a 1-car garage, but you need space to accommodate occasional well maintenance vehicles.

2. What part of town is being considered for a well?

The deepest, best-producing portion of the groundwater basin is north of San Pablo Avenue.  Site being considered are Havana-Soliz Park, Lincoln-Cunningham Park (northeast portion), Ord Terrace School (in an easement area), former Fort Ord near golf course pond, and Seaside East near Bureau of Land Management (BLM) boundary

3. Does the next well have to be located in a City park?

Not necessarily, but it needs to be on City-owned land or land the City can reasonably obtain.

4. Can the new well be located where the last one was located?

Possibly. Well no. 4 (the active well) was drilled next to Well no. 3.  When two wells are co-located, you can only run one at a time. If we can separate them by about 1,000-feet, we can run them concurrently.  

5. Can the new well be located on the former Fort Ord and not in a residential area?

Areas on the former Fort Ord are being considered. Many municipal wells are located in residential areas. 

6. If SMWS hasn’t decided on a well location yet, why were surveyors in the City parks?

Part of the site evaluations involves locating utilities and steep slopes that might rule out the use of those sites.