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Water main replacement begins for 2023
Hastings Utilities began work June 28 on the installation of a new 8-inch water mains on:
Third Street from California Avenue to Fourth Avenue
Fourth Street from Cedar Avenue to Second Avenue
Fifth Street from California Avenue to Second Avenue
Second Avenue from Second Street to Fifth Street.
The old mains were originally installed as early as 1917 and need replacement. These new mains will be out front in the terrace on the south side of the street running east and west. Mains running north and south will be on the east terrace. This project will have various start dates on each street.
Contractor Van Kirk Bros. of Sutton will install the new mains. Hastings Utilities is proposing to bore sections of the new main installations to not disturb trees and driveways. Holes will be dug in each yard to verify the depths of the existing services before the boring begins.
When the project is completed, Hastings Utilities will reseed those areas disturbed during the construction with a hydro seeder. Any damage done to existing underground sprinkler lines will be repaired by the contractor at their expense. All concrete sidewalks and driveways damaged during construction will be replaced by the contractor. Engineer Spencer Gerritsen will be the city’s on-site inspector during construction.
Once installed, the new water main will be pressure tested and flushed. Flushing requires a large amount of water to be forced through the main to clear it of all contaminants. The street may be temporarily flooded for this procedure. There also may be a time during the project when water to residents will be shut off for a few hours to make connections.
Water samples are taken and then there will be a delay in the construction from a week to two weeks or more until we get the test results back from the lab. Once they meet the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services requirements, the new main will be connected into the main system. It may be required at a later date to come back and make abandonments of the old main. This will require additional digging.
If a customer’s current water service material is copper or plastic, service will be tied directly into the new main from the customer’s shutoff typically in the front yard by the sidewalk. This will require multiple holes in the font yard near the sidewalk.
If water service material is lead, Hastings Utilities will bore a new 1-inch plastic water service from the new main to the water meter located inside of the house. Due to the age of the old main, some of the water service materials in this area are unknown. There will be an assessment of the unknown services. At that time, access to the customer’s basement will be needed to confirm the service material. If the customer’s house is grounded through lead service, a contractor will come and install a new grounding wire to the outside of the house.
This work will be done at no cost to the customer for the work being completed on this project.
Please be advised that there will be a lot of equipment on the streets to get this main installed. If the weather is favorable the crews will be working longer hours to get this main installed as quickly as possible.
Published Date: 06/29/2023