ISHPEMING — The Ishpeming City Council has approved a license allowing the drilling of a test well at Al Quaal Recreation Area.

The license signed between the city of Ishpeming and the Negaunee-Ishpeming Water Authority allows NIWA to seek another place for an adequate well to expand its network of underground wells. The goal is to provide more potable water to Negaunee and Ishpeming.

“If that test well was to prove the things they need — in order to generate the water that they hope to generate — then it would come with additional capital investment from NIWA, which would include new water mains through the park and into the city street and then across Ishpeming and in the township to their plant (creating) a future water source,” Ishpeming City Manager Craig Cugini said at the meeting.

The agreement was signed after a discussion of potential actions once the testing is completed.

If test results show the well has sufficient water in regards to quality and the capability to recharge itself, NIWA plans to regard this well as its permanent well and would request express written consent and approval from the city of Ishpeming.

NIWA would request a permanent nonexclusive easement 15 feet around the treated water main and the well house that would be erected at the Al Quaal Recreation Area, according to the agreement.

The agreement states NIWA will take responsibility for zoning approvals, maintenance and neither party will change plans without written consent.

Katie Segula can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is ksegula@miningjournal.net.