Cedar Rapids Monitoring Well Drilling

Background
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is seeking a contractor for the installation of four monitoring wells at two nested well sites in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This project aims to support the City of Cedar Rapids in ensuring a sustainable supply of high-quality municipal water, which is crucial for economic development and population growth.

The groundwater from the Cedar River alluvial aquifer is vital for the city's water supply, and this project expands an existing network of monitoring wells to address concerns regarding the aquifer's resilience due to drought and increased pumping stresses.

Work Details
The contractor will be responsible for installing four monitoring wells on the floodplain of the Cedar River. The wells will be constructed at two locations: CRM-107A and CRM-107B (one alluvium and one bedrock) just west of Edgewood Road, and CRM-102A and CRM-102B about 2 miles further west in an undeveloped area north of Ellis Road.

The project includes drilling one deep well into bedrock (approximately 20 feet) with a 2-inch diameter PVC screen and another well drilled to about 40 feet deep with a 4-inch diameter PVC screen within the alluvium. The depth to bedrock is expected to be between 55-65 feet. The wells will have natural filter packs, and the upper 10 feet of the annulus will be sealed with bentonite.

Two options are available: Option 1 involves completing bedrock wells with a 3-inch diameter PVC riser; Option 2 involves engineered primary and secondary filter packs for alluvial wells. Core samples from the screened interval of alluvial wells are also required.

Period of Performance
The contract performance period is from September 9, 2024, to November 8, 2024.

Place of Performance
Cedar Rapids, Iowa