TYLER, Texas — Tyler City Council on Wednesday approved a contract to decommission three Tyler Water Utilities wells that have been obsolete for several years.
According to the city of Tyler, wells number two, four and five will be decommissioned after the wells have been offline since 2011 and 2017. These wells have been named non-operational by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Wells have become obsolete as the city of Tyler has transitioned to surface water sources, and the wells are no longer necessary for the city's water distribution system, the city of Tyler said.
The city explained decommissioning wells will save the city ongoing maintenance costs and the land can be used for other community benefits.
"The decommissioning of these wells is a proactive and fiscally responsible initiative aimed at addressing the evolving water needs of the community and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements," said Utilities Director Kate Dietz.
In total, 11 wells in Tyler are currently not in operation. TWU plans to demolish three wells each year until they're all removed, the city of Tyler said.