The City of Boca Raton sought to modify 25 of its raw water wells because the wells’ blow-off piping terminated directly into canals or storm drains and could become submerged when the canals or drains became full. The City also wanted to raise many of the well heads to bring them above the 100-year flood elevation, offering more protection in high-water situations.

To start the planning, the City decided to modify one well as a demonstration for eventually addressing deficiencies in the other 24 wells. Globaltech was hired under a continuing engineering services contract to:
Investigate all 52 of the City’s raw water wells, compiling blow-off piping and elevation information.
Help the City select an appropriate demonstration well.
Conduct mechanical, electrical, and controls engineering for rehabilitating and modifying the demonstration well (Well 17W).
Obtain permits, prepare bid drawings/specs, and provide general oversight of the chosen contractor during construction.

Project Achievements / Benefits

• Project work included demolishing the existing Well 17W wellhead and piping along with the vaults that housed the piping and existing flow meter. The wellhead was modified to bring it above grade and meet the 100-year flood elevation.
• New pipe and appurtenances were installed along with a block-and-bleed valve arrangement to satisfy County health department cross connection requirements. The well was also brought into compliance with additional current regulations and standards for raw water production wells.
• A new 1400 GPM pump and 50hp motor were installed with new well column piping to ensure raw water production would not decrease. The 50hp pump is powered via a new variable frequency drive (VFD) located at the well site.
• Electrical and control system modifications were included with the work to account for the additional loading and technology.