BPU has set out to replace the old 4″ and 6″ cast iron water main with 8″ C-900 P.V.C. The current cast iron mains have been in place for about 80 years. The critical need for the replacement was confirmed as the crew began to dig and found that the old cast iron mains were leaking. Not only will the new P.V.C pipes be more durable, but replacing the 4”-6” pipe with 8” pipe will allow for a much greater fire flow.
The crew began the horizontal directional drilling process Wednesday, August 12th. The Horizontal directional drilling process is a steerable trenchless method of installing underground pipes, conduits and cables in a shallow arc along a prescribed bore path by using a surface-launched drilling rig. It’s a preferred method for jobs like this as it is cleaner and has minimal impact on the surrounding area.
Superintendant of Water Distribution, Allen Elsasser says “ BPU will have the street blocked off at E. Marlin and N. Ash so we can tie the new 8” main to an existing 12″ water main. Unfortunately customers in the area will be out of services while we make this tie in as well as other service tie-ins at E. Kansas, E. Marlin, E. Euclid and E. Woodside.” Customers should only expect to be out of service for 4-6 hours while they connect to the main line and only 30 minutes or so for the service tie-ins. The effected customers will be notified by the BPU. The crew stated they project the job to wrap up by November of this year. We thank you for your patience as we make this very necessary upgrade to our water mains.