By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Six of the 37 wells that produce water for the city of Hays need to be rehabilitated.

Groundwater contains bacteria and minerals which cause well plugging. Screens, gravel pack and formations may become blocked, reducing the amount of water that can be pumped to the surface.

Water Resources employees maintain productivity of the wells by acidizing them, but as City Manager Toby Dougherty explains, periodic professional rehabilitation is necessary to maintain peak efficiency.

“Maintenance only goes so far and there are times you have to do a complete rehabilitation on those wells,” Dougherty explains. “This keeps them operating as efficiently as possible which is especially important when we get into times of drought.”

The Hays city commission will review bids Thursday for the rehab project. The low bid is from Layne Christensen Company of Kearney, Neb. for $67,230.

The city of Hays has the ability to withdraw groundwater from three different aquifers through 37 wells. The three aquifers are the Smoky Hill River, Dakota and Big Creek.

Also on the May 2 work session agenda is a report from the Fort Hays State University Water Wise Tigers. The student group conducted a research project involving water conservation in Hays.

Sidewalk project work for 2019 will be presented by Project Manager John Braun.

Commissioners will consider bids for installation of sidewalks at Rolling Hills Park and several locations at 13th and Canterbury and adjacent to the Hays Recreation Commission.

The two low bids are both from DHC, Hays, with Rolling Hills  at $26,841.90 and 13th & Canterbury at $35,135.53.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The complete May 2 agenda is available here.

The work session starts at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

Preceding the meeting at 6:15 p.m., Mayor Henry Schwaller will sign a local proclamation for Mental Health Awareness Month in May.