By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Nephi has received word that the Equipment Shed Well
qualifies for use as culinary water and may be placed into
the city's culinary water storage tank.
The Utah State Heath Department recently reported to
city staff that the well had been approved for culinary use,
said Randy McKnight, city administrator.
"The standards for developing a well for irrigation
purposes are a lot different than for developing a well as a
culinary water source," said McKnight.
He said the well which was brought into service last
year, after being idle for many years, was first approved to
place in the irrigation ponds east of the city. The water,
used for this purpose, thereby relieved pressure on the
culinary water by assuring adequate flow for the secondary
water irrigation system.
Lines to ship the Equipment Shed Well to the east of
town, where it could be turned into the pond or the storage
tank, were built last year and the last of the line leaks
were repaired this year so that the lines could be treated
and the water placed in the system.
"The Jones Well has been certified for both culinary
and irrigation uses for many years, meaning it could be used
to supplement water in the irrigation storage pond or in the
culinary water storage tank, as needed," said McKnight.
"The Jones Well is very reliable in terms of volume
but does not have the best taste."
Therefore, the city has always been reluctant to place
water from that source in the culinary system, although the
water superintendent has discovered in the last year or so,
that constantly trickling the water into the tank to mix
with Bradley Spring water, has allowed a fairly good water
flavor to remain.
"It used to be that the Jones Well water was piped
into the tank very rapidly," said Chad Brough, mayor. "The
difference in taste was noticed more when that was
done."
However, when employees and elected officials of the
city recently enjoyed a summer party together, said Brough,
samples of water from three numbered, but not labeled, jugs
of water were offered.
Those attending then voted on the water they liked the
best.
All three samples had fans, he said.
The Equipment Shed Well piping, said McKnight,
included several "T" connections so that the water from that
source could be directed to the tank, the pond or directly
to green areas of the city so the water could be used to
water grass, such as at the golf course, without first going
into the tank or pond.
It was good news that the Equipment Shed Well was now
certified for human consumption, said McKnight.
Now the consumers can receive the best tasting
culinary water because, as the water superintendent learns
how to adjust the wells to suit the needs of the city, the
wells will be used where they are most suitable.
"The Bradley Springs water has the best taste and is
the primary source of water for the city but as seasonal
volume falls off, the wells can be added, as needed, and the
palatability of the water can be maintained," he said.
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