CARLSBORG – Clallam County will contract with a Tacoma-area company to drill a deep test well in Carlsborg.

The 900-foot test well will be in the area north of Carlsborg. It will define ground water availability in deeper aquifers than had been previously used in the area.

Clallam County hydrologist Carole Creasey told commissioners yesterday, the well is a major requirement for helping Clallam PUD get a water right to provide water for the growing Carlsborg urban growth area. It will explore into the third and fourth-level aquifers.

She also says the cost of doing the drilling has gone up significantly in just the last year.

“Because the bid came in about 80 to 150,000 dollars more than what it was estimated back in June and that’s about 150 to 200,000 more that was over a year ago. But the prices have gone up. There’s just such a demand, you know construction is going gangbusters and so they can charge that.”

Tacoma Pump and Drilling Company submitted the low bid for the project at just under 357-thousand dollars. County commissioners are expected to approve the contract next week and the drilling could begin the middle of next month.