The City of Yuma’s North Main St. water main project has run into roadblocks on the city’s side of the project.
Many days there has not been much going on with the crew from Concrete Specialties out of Sterling. Water/Wastewater Supervisor Eric Metcalfe said it all is due to valves — aging ones and the lack of them.
“To me it underscores the need to do these projects,” he said.
Metcalfe shared that the old water lines are being found to be in good shape, but are being upgraded from four inches to 12 inches to match the water main size to the south.
However, crews are finding valves to be aged and needing replaced, or there are stretches in which there is not a valve. The project slowed when it got to the final block on N. Main before Beatty Ave. The water main needed to be isolated so it could be replaced, but it turned out the closest valve was located six blocks west at Beatty and Fir. Now new valves are being installed at every block.
The water had to be shut off to install a new valve so the project could resume. Besides that, the customers along the route have their water turned off for about one hour while their service lines are connected to the new main. Plus, new water meters are being installed; Metcalfe said Monday that 26 had been done and there were six left. Also, water running through the new main line needs to pass all Health Department tests before the service lines are hooked up.
Metcalfe said he also asked Concrete Specialties not to cut across Beatty later last week so the main avenue would not be closed over weekend. That work began Monday, when Beatty was closed again.
The old water main officially went off-line last Thursday, except for the last block on the north side of Beatty.
Metcalfe also shared that residents have reported finding the Concrete Specialties crew to be very helpful. There have been instances when a resident has asked for assistance unrelated to the specific project, and the Concrete Specialties guys have taken the time to help.