A watermain that broke earlier this year, causing damage and a mini mud slide into downtown, needs immediate replacement in order to avoid another potential break, according to city staff.
Jason Hartley, the city’s capital works manager, said a condition assessment revealed that when the watermain at Cedar and 9th Avenue failed, it caused significant damage to the utility systems and the road, which was chewed up and had to be re-paved.
“It was determined that a significant portion of the road structure and watermain pipe bedding materials had been washed away during the break resulting in the requirement to immediately replace this section of watermain to avoid potential of further break and any further damage,” Hartley wrote in a report to council.
As a result, council, at its Tuesday meeting, agreed to add the necessary improvements to its 2016 water capital plan which contains $300,000 set aside for design work related to four other watermains in the community determined to be a high priority for renewal.
Ron Neufeld, the city’s general manager of operations, said the city was able to do the admin portion for the Cedar watermain using in-house resources and therefore, is able to deliver the project without having to put off the four original renewal projects.
“By delivering the design work in-house we were able to save substantial design costs and as a result, the original work intended within the budget can be completed,” Neufeld said.
The in-house design work is valued at $35,000 and the entire project is estimated to cost $175,846.
Construction was awarded to JR Edgett Excavating Ltd. for $90,960.
Coun. Larry Samson said he was pleased to see city staff using its own resources to help expedite the project and keep costs down.
“Congratulations to our staff,” Samson said. “It’s neat to see it go in-house like this. Job well done.”
The Cedar watermain broke in January, affecting Cedar Street from 9th Avenue to the end of the cul-de-sac. Crews worked into the night to stop the flow, repair the break and restore water to affected residences.
the running water ripped up a portion of Cedar Street while dirt and gravel washed into storm sewers and onto downtown streets, sidewalks and parking lots.
