Item 177/2025
Final
City of Garden Grove
INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
To:
Lisa L. Kim From: William E. Murray
Dept:
City Manager Dept: Public Works
Date: 5/27/2025
Subject: Authorization for the issuance of an emergency purchase order with General Pump Company for water well casing video inspections and cleaning of Well No. 26. (Cost: $65,490)(Action Item)
OBJECTIVE
To receive City Council approval for the issuance of an emergency purchase order with General Pump Company for water well casing video inspections and cleaning of the well.
BACKGROUND
The Garden Grove Public Works Department’s Water Services Division operates the water system that provides water services throughout the city. The Division operates 17 total water production facilities that encompasses 13 wells, 5 pump stations, and 8 reservoirs that store approximately 53 million gallons of water. Last February, Well No. 26 experienced a high volume of sand infiltration affecting the lower east side of the City. The City received reports on affected areas North of Westminster Avenue, South of Garden Grove Blvd, East of Brookhurst Street and West of Lewis Street. This includes reports of water quality issues involving sand sediment, murky and discolored water. The City’s water quality met all state and federal primary drinking health standards throughout the incident. City staff responded by shutting down the well and flushing the affected areas through fire hydrants. Well No. 26 is a critical resource for meeting daily demands should additional wells be potentially shut down for PFAS water contamination.
DISCUSSION
Staff determined a contractor would need to be hired to inspect the well and identify the cause of sand infiltration. In March, staff reached out to General Pump Company to start performing diagnosis work by pulling the well for initial video inspection and identifying any potential well casing defects. The invoice received for this work was in the amount of $32,180.
This invoice has been paid. In April, the contractor scrubbed the well and airlifted some debris from the bottom of the well in addition to performing another video inspection to locate areas that may need patching on the well casing. The invoice received for this work was in the amount of $65,490. Following this inspection, the contractor will perform additional wor k Item 177/2025
likely involving patching the well casing and other associated work, depending upon re - inspection results. If no further work is required, the contractor will reinstall the well and start up the well pump. The invoice for this work will be taken to Counc il for approval at a later date.
The continued operation of Well No. 26 is needed to supply water to the east and central areas within the City. Due to the nature of this work, well casing patchwork, and inspections - this all constitutes emergency work. Failure to conduct this emergency work will result in the inability to pull groundwater from the well , h ence, affecting the safety, health and property of the community at large.
Garden Grove Municipal Code Section 2.50.6.060 (B) allows for bidding proc edures to be dispensed under an emergency situation. The repair of Well No. 26 qualifies as emergency work due to the urgent need for quick restoration to protect the safety, health and property of the community at large. Therefore, staff is seeking to designate these costs as emergency repairs and issue an emergency purchase order.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The total cost of water well casing video inspections and cleaning of the well is in the amount of $65,490. This amount will be funded from the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Water utility operating budget. There is no impact to the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that that City Council:
Approve and authorize the Finance Director to issue an emergency purchase order in the amount of $65,490 to General Pump Company for water well casing video inspections and cleaning of Well No. 26.
By: Samuel Kim, P.E.
Deputy Public Works Director/
Water Services Manager
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Invoice