Jasper addressing water issues in Skyline neighborhood
Crews make progress on main replacement, officials plan comprehensive asset management approach
The City of Jasper is addressing persistent water problems in the Skyline neighborhood. Crews are making progress on a main replacement project that aims to improve flow and pressure while removing problematic lines.
During Tuesday’s Utility Service Board meeting, Utilities General Manager Rob Young updated the board on the ongoing work and outlined plans for a comprehensive water asset management strategy.
Crews have completed over 50 percent of the main replacement along Brosmer Street, replacing a 70-plus-year-old iron four-inch line with a new PVC six-inch line.
“We’re hopeful that that will increase the flow and have a significant impact on some of the challenges we’ve been dealing with,” Young told the board.
According to Young, the waterline’s age likely meant it had a lot of oxidation. The changing pressure caused by being downhill and fed from a larger line likely increased turbidity and broke the material loose. He also said there may be flow issues in some of the lower-lying areas of the neighborhood, and the larger line would increase that flow to allow water to circulate better.
Weather conditions have slowed progress this week, but work is expected to resume in full force early next week as conditions improve.
The city plans to sample the line from Birk Drive to assess the condition of 6-inch and 8-inch lines in that area. The results of this assessment will determine the next steps, which could range from additional work on Birk Drive to waiting to see how the Brosmer Street main replacement impacts overall water flow.
Young emphasized the utility’s commitment to transparency and addressing residents’ concerns. “We want to make sure we take care of them,” Young said, acknowledging past challenges in resolving issues.
Officials are developing a comprehensive water asset management plan to prevent future problems and better manage the city’s water infrastructure. The board approved a request to proceed with Wessler Engineering for a fee not to exceed $124,000 to develop the plan.
The asset management plan will include three key components:
- A risk assessment of water assets valued at over $5,000, using GIS systems to prioritize improvements.
- A hydraulic model to assess the current state of the water system, including pressure throughout the city and hydrant flow tests.
- A capital improvements plan outlining projects for the next 5, 10, and 20 years.
The risk assessment will consider factors such as age, size, location, soil conditions, and known issues to prioritize infrastructure improvements. Young noted that age alone is not always the best indicator of potential problems.
Young pointed out that the city could have an old main in “a nice level spot with good soil” and it won’t have any issues.
The entire planning process is expected to take about six months, but officials aim to identify priority projects for the next 6 to 12 months more quickly. This approach will allow the city to address potential issues proactively rather than reactively.
Young stressed the importance of this comprehensive approach in securing future funding and improving overall system performance. The plan will also help coordinate water infrastructure work with other city departments, such as street paving, to minimize disruptions and reduce costs.
As the city progresses with these plans, residents in affected areas can expect continued updates and communication from utility officials. The comprehensive approach aims to address both immediate concerns and long-term infrastructure needs, ensuring a more reliable water system for all residents.
In regards to past failures, Young has reported he first started hearing about the issues in October and began to take action to address those issues. He explained they contacted engineering firms and companies that provide line cleaning services to help develop a plan.
“There were a lot of conversations,” Young said, adding that they sourced the problem to the four-inch line by looking at all the variables and tracking the complaints coming in.
He added that the city has had updates planned for that area, but with the issues being voiced by residents, they had prioritized that project since the calls started being tracked in October.
He reiterated that the asset management plan approved by the board would help quantify what they need to address and plan regarding the water utility.
Young wants the public to understand the city utilities are taking their concerns seriously. “We are trying to be even more proactive going forward,” he said. “If there are issues they should be communicated like they always are and we’ll respond.”
