Stratford wells may be fixed by Aug. 22-24, but local officials may seek new well

“Repairs are proceeding and (the wells) are on track to be back online in a few days,” said Neves. He suggested that the wells should be working again by an August 22-24 time frame, hopefully early, he added. He also stated that flushing operations are also underway to accomplish system-wide chlorination by using outside watering.

Update: On Friday, Neves told The Leader that Stratford water has passed a laboratory test, but residents are ordered to boil water for drinking and cooking. The order will remain until the second well is fully restored.

Neves said that a video inspection revealed perforations in the lining of the well that allowed sand to get into the well. “Sand is very abrasive to moving parts,” said Neves. “You try to slow the sand down, so it’s not as abrasive.” Fortunately, he said the wells are fixable. Repairs are currently underway.

“All the problems were mechanical,” said Neves. “There was no well collapse.” The mechanical side takes two to three days to repair,” said the longtime supervisor, “but the testing will take two phases. You need to allow two days for testing and certification.”

Stratford, home to about 303 households, has been without running water since Sunday when the community’s two wells failed. At times residents have relied on three wells referred to as five, six and seven. Number six had been decommissioned but since has been put back online, strictly for sanitation purposes.

The newest well is 13 years old. The other two are over 40 years old.

Stratford’s residents have not gone thirsty. Since the wells went down, the town has been inundated with water, courtesy of everyone from local officials to service clubs. The city of Lemoore even chipped in, providing tankers of water to the parched town.

The problem may not end with the repair of the two wells. Local officials, including Neves, say a more permanent solution is needed to ensure Stratford receives a stable source of water. Last week's event was not the first time Stratford’s well have done down.

And it may cost Stratford ratepayers more in the long run to build a new well, but local officials may have already started the process, one that could raise rates for the town classified as a “disadvantaged” community.

“We’re exploring the feasibility of putting (together) a study to build a new well,” said Neves.

The chances that the state could pick up the tab for a new well via grants? It’s not out of the question, but Neves said the community would have to go through an evaluation process, one that could end up with residents paying higher rates. They already pay relatively high prices. Currently, Neves pays about $120 per month for water, solid waste, and street lights, which the Stratford Public Utilities District supervises.

Hopefully, the state may pick up the price for a new well.

“We’re exploring the feasibility of putting a study to build a new well.” The newest well is 13 years old. The others are 40 and 41.

Kelly Granger, the owner, and operator of Granger Water Specialties manages Stratford’s well, and he said this was the fifth time a well has gone down. He said Stratford should consider building at least one new well. “These wells have failed multiple times since we’ve managed the district." He added that a long-term solution is a new well, improved storage, and booster pumps.