Majority of water is clean

OTHELLO - Othello should expect good news about well number 6, said City Administrator Ehman Sheldon.

The first 900 feet of the 1,200-foot well appears to be clean water with few fluoride contaminants, he told the Othello City Council Monday. It should have the capacity to pump at least 1,500 gallons of water per minute.

In the past the well was only used during peak consumption periods because of high fluoride levels. It has the capacity to pump more than 3,000 gallons of water per minute, but the water is not acceptable for human consumption due to contaminants.

The city began testing the well last year to determine where the fluoride sources were located. The majority of the sources are near the bottom of the well.

At a future council meeting the city will learn about its options to eliminate one of two aquifers commingling near the bottom of the well.

They will also determine where a seal will be placed to block fluoride from entering the well. Once the sources are blocked, the well may be able to produce more than 1,500 gallons of water per minute.