QUINCY — Investigation of a malfunctioning city well in Quincy began this week.

"We think there's something wrong, is a bit of an understatement," City Engineer Larry Julius said. "We're a bit surprised to find water overflowing at well number one."

The well is located near Quincy City Hall. The well was shut down and quarantined from other water sources, Julius said.

Water seems to be escaping from a space between the column pipe and the casing pipe, he said.

The exact problem with the well is unknown. The city plans to send a camera down the well.

"Once that's done we'll have a picture of what's going on," Julius said.

The cost of the investigation process to find out what the problem might be is approximately $25,000, he added.

Mayor Dick Zimbelman declared the well in a state of emergency.

This means possible funding sources can be tapped to fix the problem. When a well reaches emergency status, money from the Community Development Block Grant or the Public Works Trust Fund could become available to fund repairs, Julius said.