FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Newport to Drill Water Wells at School

The Fountain Valley School District Board of Trustees has granted Newport Beach an easement to drill two wells and build a pump station at an elementary school.

Building the well and water-pumping station at Hisamatsu Tamura Elementary School was opposed by some nearby residents who feared the wells would cause noise and vibration, and the building would block views.

Trustees have proposed a new location for the pump station on a large grassy area at the rear of the school on its eastern boundary, which is away from homes. Trustee Robert Sedlak said the new site minimizes residents’ concerns.

No residents addressed trustees at last week’s meeting. The district has conducted three public hearings and one community meeting regarding the well project.

Trustees last week approved a resolution agreeing that the Tamura well site does not have any significant adverse environmental effects. The district also negotiated a 10-year lease with Newport Beach, under which it will be paid about $20,000 annually.

Jeff Staneart, Newport Beach utilities director, said that construction is expected to start in mid-September and take about five months.

The wells are part of a $16-million well project by the city, which will provide water to more than 70,000 customers.

Newport Beach cannot pump its own well water because seawater has contaminated the underground water supply, Staneart said, adding that it is cheaper for the city to drill for water than to buy imported water.

Newport Beach is planning to construct four wells in Fountain Valley. Negotiations are underway to build the other two wells on a second site, Staneart said.