Second Block of 98th Street Dug Up

FTLComm - Tisdale - Tuesday, August 13, 2002

Each summer the town excavates and replaces two blocks of water line. The original lines were cast iron lines and the natural processes in the soil result in these lines becoming thinner and often failing. At the present rate it will take about twenty-two years for all lines to be replaced but even the present rate is saving residents money and reducing the number of breaks that have to be dug up and repaired as the process is doing those lines that give the most trouble first. Earlier this summer a block on 98th Street was rebuilt and yesterday work began on the second block on 98th. This block is relatively shallow and work is progressing very quickly with the crew expecting to tie in the new line at quitting time this afternoon. However, this is a wet dig. Several breaks in the line in the street have been leaking and this is not exactly preventative maintenance as the picture at the top of the page shows the kind of situation with this water line. In this picture you can see a repair on the pipe and right beside it a hole that was gushing water into the ground. The water in the trench indicates the need for this line's immediate replacement. A resident on the block repaired early said that it was good to get the line replaced and was not a big inconvenience when the work was undertaken as they only were without water for during the day as the work was carried out.