Aqua is announcing their 2018 water system improvement projects for the water system that serves Marion, Caledonia, Martel and Prospect. The projects involve the replacement of 11,000 linear feet of aging, undersized water mains, the installation 21 new fire hydrants and other related infrastructure. The water mains being replaced range in age from 48 to 83 years of service.
These plans represent the continued commitment to investing in Aqua’s Marion system. Combined with replacements last year, these projects will total over over 20,000 feet of water mains with a total investment of nearly than $11 million in area improvements over the past 24 months.
There are three major projects planned for 2018 in the system:
· Water main replacements ($2,500,000)- including:
o St. Rt. 309 East water main relocation project-requested by the Department of Transportation
o Spencer Street from Indiana Avenue to Claridon Avenue
o Farming Street from North Greenwood Street to Jefferson Street to North Grand Avenue-in coordination with a city sewer relocation project
o Sharpless Court in coordination with a city sewer relocation project
o Hermon Street Uncapher Avenue to David Street
o Sugar Street
o Taft-Linda-Chapel Heights from Marion Williamsport Road to Lehner Avenue.
· Water Treatment Plant upgrades ($726,000) Including groundwater wells, service pumps, chemical feed improvements and safety enhancements.
· Begin construction of a 1-million gallon, elevated water storage tank ($1,700,000) to expand storage capacity, help improve flows for firefighting and enhance water pressure in eastern portion of the system.
“Aqua is continually focused on improving service reliability and water flows, especially for high demand events like fire fighting. We take a strategic approach to main replacement investing where we really need to while keeping the impact on rates in mind.” said Aqua’s area manager, Scott Ballenger. “At the water treatment plant we invest to be prepared for ever-tightening standards so that we can assure we are delivering water that meets all regulations today and tomorrow.”
All of the projects are expected to be complete by the end of October 2018. Customers along the construction routes will receive new company service connections. While short-term localized service interruptions are expected, the company will communicate with residents individually about planed outages.
Aqua typically invests between $30 and $40 million a year in infrastructure among its 33 Ohio water systems. In 2018, the company will invest $41.9 million in the systems.
Customers who have questions about these projects should call the project construction coordinator, Rich Lester at 740-383-0972. Those with other Aqua related questions should call the Aqua Customer Service Center toll-free at 877.987.2782.