On May 4, the Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the AquaTech contract to locate well drill sites, on a motion by Commissioner Busby seconded by Commissioner Smith.
Historical recordFranklin Countyarchived · approved
Franklin County commissioners approve AquaTech contract to pinpoint well drilling sites
The county needs new well sites, and commissioners picked a lower-cost satellite survey option over a more expensive geological study to find them.
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May 4, 2026: Geological water survey contract with AquaTech to locate well drill sites
At a glance
What this means now
The story
Commissioners discussed a hydrogeological survey to identify groundwater well drilling sites, with a second phase estimated at $194,500; landowners would have to grant permission for the company to access their property.
By late March, commissioners were comparing that Emery & Garrett option, priced around $194,000 to $194,500, against a satellite well-siting proposal from AquaTech costing $2,000 per drill site and including a water guarantee.
The comparison continued into late April, with commissioners again weighing the $194,500 on-site geological work against the AquaTech alternative.
On May 4, the Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the AquaTech contract to locate well drill sites, on a motion by Commissioner Busby seconded by Commissioner Smith.
What happened
How this issue got here
Open any step for its supporting record. A proposal remains labeled as proposed until later evidence establishes an outcome.
Appeared on agendaproposedGeological Water Survey
b. 2026 LMIG
c. Geological Water Survey
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Geological Water Survey
b. 2026 LMIG c. Geological Water Survey
ApprovedconfirmedGeological water survey contract with AquaTech to locate well drill sites
Motion to Approve AquaTech: Commissioner Busby
Seconded: Commissioner Smith
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Geological water survey contract with AquaTech to locate well drill sites
Motion to Approve AquaTech: Commissioner Busby Seconded: Commissioner Smith
DiscusseddiscussedGeological/groundwater water survey for new well sites (Emery & Garrett phase 2 vs. AquaTech)
a second phase of the study, at a cost of $194,500, would involve on-site work using specialized equipment to determine precise drilling locations
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Geological/groundwater water survey for new well sites (Emery & Garrett phase 2 vs. AquaTech)
a second phase of the study, at a cost of $194,500, would involve on-site work using specialized equipment to determine precise drilling locations
Appeared on agendaproposedGeological Water Survey
b. 2026 LMIG
c. Geological Water Survey
d. Animal Control Ordinance
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Geological Water Survey
b. 2026 LMIG c. Geological Water Survey d. Animal Control Ordinance
DiscusseddiscussedWater Study — AquaTech satellite well-siting proposal vs. Emery & Garrett
The cost is $2,000.00 per drill site, and the company offers a water guarantee.
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Water Study — AquaTech satellite well-siting proposal vs. Emery & Garrett
The cost is $2,000.00 per drill site, and the company offers a water guarantee.
Appeared on agendaproposedOnsite Geological Survey
Onsite Geological Survey
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Onsite Geological Survey
Onsite Geological Survey
Appeared on agendaproposedOnsite Geological Survey
Onsite Geological Survey - Discussion
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Onsite Geological Survey
Onsite Geological Survey - Discussion
DiscusseddiscussedHydrogeological survey / onsite geological survey for groundwater (well drilling site identification), Phase 2 contract
The estimated cost for this phase is $194,500; the landowner will have to give permission for the company to come onto their property
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Hydrogeological survey / onsite geological survey for groundwater (well drilling site identification), Phase 2 contract
The estimated cost for this phase is $194,500; the landowner will have to give permission for the company to come onto their property
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