The city council voted Tuesday night in a special meeting to move forward with completing a replacement well drilled over the past few months that only showed the promise of producing 40 gallons per minute.

The council action included a $9,000 task order to pay contractor Balleau Groundwater Inc. to monitor a 48-hour pump test and analyze the data. Balleau's original contract was for $24,000, but additional money was needed to complete the project because correspondence between Balleau and the city ate up the contract, City Engineer Carl Lovato said.

The vote was carried 3-1, with Councilor Larry Irvin voting no.

The funding for completing the project was the major issue discussed.

At the Sept. 22 regular council meeting, Lovato was concerned that the city could lose the remainder of the $500,000 grant from the state Environment Department if the city didn't use the well.

Mayor Adan Encinias, Councilor Bobby Ortiz, City Attorney Chuck DuMars and Lovato met with the New Mexico Environment Department last week to discuss options for moving forward with the city's replacement well.

The NMED advised the city to complete the required pump test to connect the well to the city's water system. If the city proves the well is being put to beneficial use, the city will keep the grant funding, Lovato said.

Even though the grant seems to be secure for now, Councilor Steve Anaya did the math and found $19,500 the city would still need to complete the project. Clerk/Treasurer Linda Fischer said the money would probably have to come out of the water department if the grant is used up.

Questions about the initial work of contractors Balleau and driller Rogers and Co. were also on the table.

Rogers' original contract is for $273,000, Lovato said, but $30,000 will be reduced because of a reduction on stainless steel used for the casing.

The drilling equipment used wasn't producing accurate readings, so Lovato said contract time and funds would also be reduced for time spent on-site by Balleau hydrologist Casey Cook.

The councilors discussed other options, including finding a new hydrology company to monitor the pump test and analyze the findings, a job required by the NMED on well drilling. Encinias said the city probably couldn't afford more time.

"I don't think the NMED would stand for another delay," he said. "The only option we have is to move forward."

Ortiz, who also attended the meeting with the state, agreed.

"It seems like the pump test is the key thing," he said. "Unfortunately, well drilling is not a science, it's an art."

The city will now submit a plan of action to the NMED, and when the task order is approved by Balleau, the pump test should begin this week, Lovato said.