Tests show possible well sites clean

Anyone who may have been concerned about the possibility of contamination at two new well sites proposed south of McCook can put their fears to rest.

According to a report from Maxim Technologies, the proposed site shows no contamination from an old auto junkyard that once occupied the area.

The McCook City Council will be presented with the report at its regular meeting Monday, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the McCook Auditorium.

The report indicates low levels of oil and grease in some of the soil and water, however the company attributes the minute amounts found to laboratory contamination.

"When hydrocarbons are detected, they are present in large amounts," reads the city council packet. "The drawback of the test is it can pick up laboratory contamination in low amounts of oil and gas."

The council will also receive a report from Sargent Irrigation. The company drilled two test wells on the Hancock property.

Both wells indicated water was evident deeper than 50 feet below the surface, meaning the wells will not be designated as ground water under the influence of surface water.

Based on preliminary designs, the wells appear to be capable of flows in the 1,000 gallons per minute range.

The council will also be asked to choose an engineering firm to complete the design for the city's water treatment facility.

The decision was tabled during a meeting earlier this month when Councilman Dick Trail was absent from the meeting and the council split on a vote between the team of Jacobson Helgoth of Omaha and W Design Associates of McCook and Black and Veatch of Kansas City, Mo.

The public hearing to discuss the city's $23 million budget is also on the agenda.

Following the public hearing the council will be asked to approve an ordinance adopting the budget for fiscal year 2004-05.