SUBJECT
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Request to Increase FDEP SRF Planning Loan DW520000 for Costs Associated with West Polk Test Production Well #3 (Action)
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DESCRIPTION
The original FDEP SRF Planning Loan (DW520000) has been used for the Combined Projects feasibility studies and initial test well construction. During a Third-Party Review of the Preliminary Design Reports for the Southeast and West Polk Projects and in accordance with their co-funding requirements, SWFWMD requested that two additional Test Production Wells would be required to confirm expected raw water quality. Those two wells include one for the Southeast Well Field (TPW #3) and one for the West Polk Lower Floridan Aquifer (TPW #2). The Engineer's estimate at that time was based on pre-Covid pricing and was estimated at $4,425,000 per well for a total of $8,850,000 including engineering.
The Agreement for TPW #3 with A.C. Schultes was executed on September 21, 2022, for $3,697,690. The Agreement with FDD for TPW #2 was executed on September 18, 2024, for $,7,577,150. In both cases multiple bids were received, and the low bidder was selected.
The first amendment requested $3,710,050 for additional test well construction, of which $796,015.50 was paid directly to Bartow to finance its payment to the PRWC through the SRF, which the SRF allowed it to do so. This left $2,914,034.50 for the TPW #3 and TPW# 2 projects. The second amendment increased the time to complete the project to February 15, 2027.
The third amendment the PRWC is now requesting from the FDEP is in the amount of $1,400,000 to complete the test well drilling projects. The PRWC anticipates the projects will be completed by the current expiration date of the contract in February 2027. The FDEP has indicated that if funds are available, then the SRF will place the PRWC request on its May 2026 priority list for funding. If funds are received to increase the SRF Planning Loan DW520000, the loan amendment will come before the PRWC Board of Directors ...
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