As Ephraim City continued to grow, it needed another drinking water source to keep pace with demand and meet required source capacity. The City had acquired water rights and a highly productive agricultural well northwest of town. Franson Civil worked with City staff to evaluate the options and found that converting the existing well to drinking water use offered the most practical path forward. This approach avoided the cost and uncertainty of drilling a new well that might not produce as much water, while allowing the City to bring the new source online sooner.

The well conversion met drinking water standards and was completed on time and slightly under budget. With a capacity of at least 1,500 gallons per minute, the converted well nearly doubled the City’s well-water source capacity. Our team then designed the wellhouse and connection pipeline and coordinated the required permitting with the Utah Division of Drinking Water.

Design and construction took place during a period of high inflation, when rising material and labor costs put pressure on the available funding. Using a model of Ephraim City’s drinking water system, we developed a wellhouse and pipeline design that fit the budget while supporting the City’s operational needs. Draft designs prepared while evaluating the options will also make future drinking water improvements more efficient to plan and design.

Weather, material availability, supply-chain issues, and unexpected field conditions affected construction. Even with necessary additions and changes, the final cost remained within two percent of the original bid. The City received the well’s operating permit within one month of the original completion date. Franson Civil supported the project from permitting and design through bidding and construction management, helping Ephraim add a reliable source of drinking water for its growing community.

For the people of Ephraim, the project means a more reliable drinking water supply as the community grows. The added capacity gives the City more ability to meet everyday demand and reduces the risk that future growth will outpace available water sources. Converting an existing productive well also made responsible use of public funds, allowing the City to strengthen its water system sooner and at a lower cost than drilling a new well. The project provides residents and local businesses with dependable water today while giving the City a stronger foundation for future improvements.