PROJECT INFORMATION:
The city of Gillette has experienced considerable draw down and reduced production in their "intown"
wells which tap the Fort Union and Lance/Fox Hills aquifers. In addition, the city has made
major expenditures in rehabilitating wells and replacing pumps. The Gillette Area Master Plan
identified the importance of improved management of the multi source Gillette water supply system
in order to reduce operation and maintenance costs, maximize production from existing sources,
protect the long term yield of the Fort Union formation, and insure uniformity of water quality to
Gillette water users through blending of supply sources.
The 1994 project activities included pump testing and logging of existing wells, analysis of the
operation and maintenance procedures for both the in-town wells and the Madison well field, and a
review of overall system configuration. The 1994 study established a schedule for rehabilitating
Gillette's existing Fort Union well field, for developing maximum production from the Madison
well field (included as a Level III recommendation in the 1995 New Development Program), and
eventually for a new Fort Union well field.
In 1995, the design for the replacement of two wells was completed and an existing well was
rehabilitated. In 1996 two wells were drilled and the design of a supply pipeline was initiated. In
1997 two additional wells were replaced and the supply pipeline was designed. In 1998 the final
three wells were completed and construction of the supply pipeline was completed.
RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
No legislative action required.