Rochelle Council Waives Bidding for Emergency Well 12 Repair

ROCHELLE — The Rochelle City Council approved an ordinance waiving competitive bidding requirements for repairs to Well 12 after a pump and motor failure last month. City staff said the well, located on Hayes Road, was taken offline for emergency repair at the same time another system, Well 8, was intermittently out of service during startup following treatment upgrades. Officials said Illinois Environmental Protection Agency rules require the city to meet water demand with its largest well down, prompting immediate action. Municipal Well and Pump removed the equipment the day after the failure, completed inspection and repairs at its shop, and began reinstalling the system on April 22, 2026. The city said the rapid response was necessary to restore service quickly, and council approved waiving the bidding process after the work was completed. The repair cost is $38,730 and will be paid through a cash reserve fund for emergency work, which has a budgeted amount of $106,683.