AWWA WQTC60624

The City of El Mirage, Arizona experienced a water emergency during the summer of2003 due primarily to explosive growth that had occurred over the previous three years.The City grew from a population of 7,600 in 2000 to 25,500 in 2003. The City hadtrouble developing new groundwater sources to meet the growing demand to the pointwhere parts of the city were virtually out of water during the 2003 peak summer hours.The City implemented a number of emergency measures, including reducing the waterdistribution system pressures, installing an emergency connection to a neighboringprivate water company, banning outdoor irrigation, and seeking customer assistance inreducing water demands.To overcome the expected shortfall in peak production capacity of up to 3 mgd in thesummer of 2004, the City embarked on a fast-track program to convert former irrigationwells to temporary domestic use. Historically, land use in the city has been agricultural,so several irrigation wells were available. The fast-track project rehabilitated andconverted three groundwater wells from agricultural to domestic use over a six-monthperiod. The converted wells will serve on a temporary basis until permanent groundwaterproduction wells can be completed.This paper discusses the well investigation techniques, observations and assessments thatwere used in the well rehabilitation process. It also describes the process of efficientlymanaging such an accelerated scheduled project. The City's experience in resolvinganticipated water emergency issues can help other small system utilities that are facingsimilar short term water shortage issues. Includes 5 references, tables.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. - No.

Published:

11/15/2004

Number of Pages:

11

File Size:

1 file , 290 KB