The Loch Alpine Sanitary Authority has announced the preliminary schedule of phase two of water main replacement in Loch Alpine. It has determined to begin construction in the first two weeks of October and end mid-January of 2017, with restoration completed in April/ May of 2017.

 

While the timing isn't perfect – none would be for a project of this scope – the start of the work in Fall offers the better chance of optimal ground restoration after the new lines have been installed and water service transferred from the old lines. Winter will allow time for the ground to settle in the excavation areas and Spring will provide better grass seed germination than our experience this past Summer. The Loch Alpine Improvement Association Board is involved in these operations and the property restoration process.

 

Process Results, Inc. is the engineering company hired by LASA to administer the construction project.  Please contact them with concerns or questions:

The new water main for this phase, as well as the previous phase conducted last spring, are replacing small diameter, aging cast iron pipe that was installed when Loch Alpine was originally platted.  The new main will significantly reduce disruption of service, red water, repairs, and costs experienced with the existing water main, while improving system pressure, replacing fire hydrants and reliability.

 

Works areas, in preliminary order of drilling:

1. Fairway between Eastgate and Hawthorne
2. Eastgate between Fairway and East Loch Alpine
3. Eastgate between Fairway and Canterbury
4. Sunderland between Fairway and Eastgate
5. Hawthorne between Fairway and East Loch Alpine
6. Canterbury from Eastgate to End
7. Westgate
8. Morrow Ct
9. Rondo through West Loch Alpine to Bridgeway
10. West Loch Alpine from Rondo north
11. West Loch Alpine from Sunset south
12. Greenway Ct
13. Climbing Way from Sunset south
14. Climbing Way from Bridgeway north

 

The arrows on the map below show the locations and direction the bores will be drilled.  The pipe will be pulled in opposite direction of the arrows.  A schedule of drilling dates will be announced soon.

 

The construction process will be similar to the first phase:

1. Utilities will be marked and flagged and Right of Way staked
2. Soil Erosion Control Measures will be placed.
3. Crews will excavate and physically locate utilities that are in the proposed water main.  This will require excavating a small hole at every utility crossing (including existing gas piping, water, sewer, etc).
4. The water main will be installed by horizontal directional drill.
5. The new water main will be pressure tested, flushed and disinfected
6. The new water main will be connected to the existing system
7. Water services will be transferred from the old to the new water main
8. The old water main will be abandoned and decommissioned.

 

The horizontal drilling process requires the pipe to be assembled (fused) above ground and will be pulled into a bore hole.  The length of pipe, known as the tail, may temporarily cross driveways or roadways.  The pipe can be lifted or moved out of the way to allow access.

 

The majority of the water main replacement work will take place in the public utility right-of-way at the sides of the roads.  While the contractor will take reasonable steps to minimize disturbing existing soils, some disruption will take place.  The contractor will be responsible for returning the disturbed areas to grade and planting with grass seed.  The restoration work will be scheduled for the spring, when the growing of new grass is most likely to succeed.

 

Periodic street sweeping will occur throughout the project to minimize dust.

 

During the water main construction, LASA and the contractor will take prudent steps to prevent destabilization of the water system.  However, it is still possible, or even likely, for red or cloudy water to be noticed by residents.  These symptoms are caused by stirring of iron sediments in the water main, or entrained air in the water.  If residents experience these problems, they should:

• Immediately refrain from using water in the home
• Flush water at the nearest faucet to where the water service enters the residence (usually an outside spigot or laundry sink). 
• Once the outside spigot runs clear, fixtures in the home should be flushed until clear.
• Normal water use can then be resumed in the home.