West Baraboo to build test well

By Brian D. Bridgeford

West Baraboo officials agree a test well is the next step after accepting a report by engineers and financial advisors that says a new well would save residents more than $800,000 over 40 years.

West Baraboo Village Board members reviewed a report Thursday night that presents the community's future water supply options. They are considering whether to construct a village well at the cost of about $1.2 million.

West Baraboo utility customers pay about $74,000 a year to the city of Baraboo, which delivers water from wells through two 6-inch iron pipes, one under Linn Street/Highway 33 and the other under Berkley Boulevard, said Bob DeMars, village public works director.

Board members accepted the report which estimates $800,000 could be saved if they build a well instead of continuing to buy city water. The financial advisors also reported in future years the state might require the village begin adding chlorine and other chemicals to the water, because village pipes are far from city wells and water treatment facilities.

In that case the village would save about $1.2 million if it operates its own well, they said.

Tim Mikonowicz of MSA Professional Services said the state Department of Natural Resources prefers the well be built at the southwest corner of Highway 12 and Terrytown Road. That is where the village engineers would build the test well to check the quality of the subsurface water and the flow.

An alternative location is in Haskins Park. After brief discussion, the trustees agreed to move ahead with the test well. They will have to reach an agreement with the management of D.L. Gasser Construction for temporary permission to drill the test well on Gasser's property.

The village will also have to reach an agreement with Baraboo to have city water available as a back-up. City officials do not object to the proposed change.

If the village does build a well, the project is not expected to raise the cost for water, DeMars said.