Washington looks at places to fortify city water system

WASHINGTON - The City of Washington asked FOX Engineering to evaluate the water distribution system to identify and prioritize needed improvements. The study was presented during the City Council meeting on Tuesday.

In the report, Fox identified three projects that should be completed in 2021 to alleviate water mains with frequent breaks.

' East Main Street from 12th Avenue to 15th Avenue.

' West Washington Street from D Avenue to F Avenue.

' West Madison Street from D Avenue to H Avenue.

The estimated cost of these three projects is $1.85 million, according to the report.

The results of the plan are not surprising, City Administrator Brent Hinson said in a memo.

'Washington has a great deal of catchup to do on water distribution infrastructure, due to aging lines and long-term deferred maintenance,” Hinson said.

Jenny Ruddy, project manager for FOX Engineering, presented the information.

Other projects in the five-year capital improvements plan were reprioritized based on water main breaks and improving fire flow deficiencies to critical areas such as the schools, areas with the lowest system available for fire flow and areas affecting the most properties.

'There are many residential areas of town that have deficient fire flows, and many of the proposed (capital) improvements address these areas,” according to the study.

There are 14 other project identified in the study, with probable prices ranging from $416,100 to $1.54 million. Three separate projects were included regarding planned streetscape improvements.

Hinson said with the effective implementation of the plan, including using Community Development Block Grant funds, the city should be closer to the goal of having a well maintained system for the long term.

Council member Danielle Pettit-Majewski said infrastructure isn't sexy.

'But everyone wants a toilet to flush; everybody wants there to be enough water to put out a fire; and I'm really glad we're moving forward with this,” she said.