Tumwater to upgrade one of its highest producing wells 

The City of Tumwater is moving forward with upgrades to one of its highest producing wells. 

The Tumwater Public Works Committee endorsed a contract with Gray & Osborne Inc. for design improvements to Well 15 that aim to ensure it stays compliant with allowable thresholds for lead and copper.

The committee reviewed the contract on Thursday, Feb. 19., before agreeing to pass it on to the city council for approval as part of its March 3 consent agenda. 

Senior Water Resources Specialist Carrie Gillum told the committee that Well 15 is the second largest producing wells among the 12 wells in the city’s water system. The well is located northeast of Tumwater Boulevard in the New Market area on property owned by the Port of Olympia. 

Gillum said the Washington State Department of Health directed the city to implement aeration treatment for the well by July 29 after a corrosion control study found it would eventually not meet standards due to low pH (potential of hydrogen) levels.   

Gillum emphasized the well has not exceeded regulated limits for lead and copper, but said low pH could corrode pipes and allow metals to leach into drinking water. 

The proposed design work for Well 15 includes the replacement of the existing wooden well house, as well as an upgrade to the site’s cybersecurity systems to allow staff to remotely access the well in case of emergencies. The upgrade would also involve the installation of auxiliary backup power, which has been already in place in the other city wellfields. 

The design phase of this project is estimated at $368,000, which will be funded through the city's Drinking Water Fund. Gillum said the design work could take up to 18 months to complete. 

As for other wells owned by the port, Gillum said Wells 9 and 10 will also require treatment in the future.