17th Avenue Water System Improvements

         New waterline installation on 17th Avenue between Ochoco Avenue and McBrod Avenue.  This project will replace old cast iron pipe with joints made of lead with new pipe made of ductile iron and rubber gasket joints. The line is being replaced not due to the lead, which never is in contact with the flow of water, but because the old line is susceptible to cracking and leaking. The new pipe material is made of a longer-lasting material. Additionally, this project will replace old service lines that may be leaking with new service pipe to each property, replace fire hydrants, and install several new valves that will improve City crew’s ability to localize shut off areas.

         The waterline project is expected to take place from mid May through July 2015. During the waterline project nearby water customers will experience some intermittent interruptions in their water service. City staff will distribute door hangers to affected customers two days prior to the expected interruptions. Service will be interrupted when the contractor needs to connect the new main to the existing system and when new service lines are extended from the new main to the customer’s property line. Service transfers to new customer lines will result in service interruptions of two to three hours, and service will be shut off for six to eight hours during the main line connections.  Detours may be in place, with local access maintained at all times. All traffic lanes will be restored when work is concluded at the end of the day.