Minto to pull additional $35,000 from reserves for well repairs

MINTO – Water services manager Todd Rogers recently approached council here for a capital budget amendment totalling an additional $35,000.

At Minto council’s June 16 meeting, Rogers said the amendment would cover the repairs on Well 3 and allow the inspection of Well 4 in Palmerston to proceed this year.

The cost of the repairs and inspection of Well 3 totalled $45,014, and the 2026 approved budget to complete both inspections is $30,000. Additional funding required would come from the capital water reserve fund.

In his report, Rogers states all municipal wells require an inspection at least once every 10 years to verify the condition and integrity of the well and casing.

“Both Wells 3 and 4 in Palmerston are scheduled and budgeted to be completed in 2026. On April 27, Well 3 was removed for inspection and it was identified that both the pump motor and column check valve needed to be replaced,” he wrote. “These unexpected repairs resulted in the approved 2026 budget for this project to be insufficient.”

Mayor Dave Turton asked Rogers what effect the check valve would have on the system.

Rogers said the check valve is located in the column, and prevents the system water from going back down into the well.

“The system has two checks: one that’s in the pump itself, and then one that’s part way up the column. It’s a double safety, but if both were to fail, then your system water would basically flow back down into the well,” he added. 

With no additional questions from council members, the recommended motion for council to receive the report for information; direct the treasurer to amend the 2026 capital budget and transfer $35,000 from the water capital reserve fund over to the Well 3 cost overrun, and allow for the planned Well 4 inspection work to proceed; and direct the water services manager to proceed with the planned well 4 inspection work this year was carried.