City's original water well may resume production by February

Webb City’s newest well has now been surrounded by a well house constructed by public works staff.

Necessary equipment to monitor the flow and connect to the rest of the system now has to be installed. Rick Roth, street and water superintendent, estimates the well will be helping to fill the large water tank above it by February.

The well happens to also be the city’s original well. It is located on Tracy Street beneath the large water tower. There was only a standpipe to store water when the well was initially installed.

Webb City’s thirst for water has grown so much since then that it must regularly purchase water from Joplin. That’s more expensive than producing it with a well.

Earlier this year, the Webb City Council decided the best purpose for the federal funding received from the American Rescue Plan Act would be to improve the city’s water supply – so less will have to be purchased from Joplin – and streets.

The inactive Well No. 1 on Tracy Street was drilled deeper, and it was determined it is capable of producing enough gallons per minute to warrant the additional cost to put it online.

City staff members are now looking for a site to drill another well and install another water tower.

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During their short regular meeting Monday, council members praised Project Graduation for its organization of the Christmas Parade on Dec. 6. It was noted there were more than 50 entrants.

The council continued to call attention to the Christmas lighting display in King Jack Park and the success of the Polar Bear Express. There are three more nights this weekend for Streetcar No. 60 to become the Polar Bear Express. Approximately 400 passengers ride each night.

Mayor Lynn Ragsdale corrected a previous estimate of 300,000 lights in King Jack Park – raising it to 1 million. Noting there are 6 million Christmas lights at Silver Dollar City, he said, “Look out Silver Dollar City,” because there’s lots more room in the park for Webb City to keep adding lights each year.

Besides that, Ragsdale said, “Boy, Main Street really looks nice,” with its Christmas displays and bright streetlights.

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Otherwise during the short meeting, the council approved Fire Chief Andrew Roughton’s recommendation to pay FireMaster $10,475 to rebuild the pump on Engine 3 at its Springfield facility.

The rebuild includes certification that it meets current NFPA standards.

FireMaster built the Engine 3 for the city in 1994. So Roughton says nearly 30 years of use for the pump is good compared to the normal 10 years before a rebuild is necessary.

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There was no closed session. Since the council normally has just one meeting in December, the next meeting won’t be until Jan. 8.