Item 333/2025
Final
City of Garden Grove
INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
To:
Lisa L. Kim From: William E. Murray
Dept:
City Manager Dept: Public Works
Date: 9/23/2025
Subject: Authorization to amend an existing emergency purchase order with General Pump Company for water well casing thickness evaluation and pump testing for Well No. 26. (Cost: $70,123)(Action Item)
OBJECTIVE
To receive City Council approval to amend an existing emergency purchase order with General Pump Company for water well casing thickness evaluation and pump testing the well.
BACKGROUND
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 included 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.
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.
DISCUSSION
Following this inspection, the contractor has performed additional work involving well casing thickness evaluation and pump testing to determine where sand infiltration is occurring and other associated work. This completes the investigation process to determine the overall Item 333/2025
condition of the well and the extent of sand infiltration. The invoices received for this work were in the amount of $70,123. Staff is reviewing reports generated during this process to determine next steps involved in repairing Well No. 26. The invoices for the additional work will be taken to Council for approval at a later date.
The continued operation of Well N o. 26 is needed to supply water to the east and central areas within the City. Because this work involves well casing patchwork, inspections, and pump reinstallation, it qualifies as emergency work.". Failure to conduct this emergency work will result in the inability to pull groundwater from the well, hence, affecting the safety, health and property of the community at large.
Garden Grove Municipal Code Section 2.50.060 (B) allows for bidding procedures to be dispensed under an emergency situation. The r epair 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 thickness evaluation and pump testing of the well is in the amount of $70,123. This amount will be funded from the Fiscal Year 2025 -26 Water utility operating budget. There is no impact to the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
Approve to dispense of the bidding process per Municipal Code Section
2.50.060, for emergency repairs of Well No. 26; and
Approve and authorize the Finance Director , or designee, to issue an amendment to existing emergency purchase order in the amount of $ 70,123 to General Pump Company for water well casing thickness evaluation and pump testing of Well No. 26.
By: Samuel Kim, P.E.
Deputy Public Works Director/
Water Services Manager
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Invoice 1
2. Invoice 2
3. Invoice 3