Vibrations from construction on the sewer separation project caused the aging water main to break several times.
CHICOPEE - The city will replace a century-old water main after discovering it was in worse condition than initially believed.
During the project to separate the sewer and storm drain pipes on Cochran and Muzzy Streets, officials examined the water mains and initially believed they did not have to be replaced even though they are 80-100 years old, said Jeffrey Neece, Department of Public Works superintendent.
But workers discovered the cast iron pipe is more brittle than initially thought. Vibrations from the construction project caused it to break several times, disrupting water service to residents, Neece said.
The City Council agreed this week to transfer $1 million from the Water Department surplus account to fund the project in a 13-0 vote.
"It makes no sense to not install the water lines," Councilor James K. Tillotson said. "We don't want to have to tear up the road again."
The city began replacing aging water mains while separating sewer and storm water mains as required by the federal Environmental Protection Agency mandate demanding the city stop dumping raw sewage into the rivers.
The decision to include water main replacement in the project was made in part a cost saving measure because the road was already being torn up and, at least once, a water main ruptured shortly after a road was repaved following a separation project.
This project will be more involved than usual because there is not enough space under the road to install a new water main, activate it and then rip up the old one. Instead crews will have to install a temporary main above ground so residents will still have water during construction, remove the old pipe and then replace it with a new one, Councilor Frederick Krampits said.
The Department of Public Works is hoping to begin the construction as soon as possible so they don't have to use the temporary water main in the hottest months of the summer because the water that comes from the pipes will likely be warmer than normal, he said.
Councilor Robert Zygarowski aired his concerns about the installation increasing the length of construction in neighborhoods that have suffered through years of construction mainly from the sewer separation projects.
Neece said the work should start as soon as possible and will take approximately three weeks.
"Broadway has been a war zone for three years. How long will it take?" he asked. Cochran and Muzzy streets are off Broadway.
Neece said the work should start as soon as possible and will take approximately three weeks.