Phoenicia opts for more expensive, but faster,…
Phoenicia opts for more expensive, but faster, water system repair
File photo by Jay Braman Jr.
A temporary water main made out of a fire hose was installed in Phoenicia in mid-February.
By Jay Braman Jr newsfreemmanonline |
PUBLISHED: April 24, 2015 at 2:32 p.m. | UPDATED: July 21, 2021 at 10:02 a.m.
PHOENICIA >> Saying that federal-level red tape would prolong a $100,000 project to restore water for the south side of the Phoenicia Water District, officials have chosen an alternate project that will cost $50,000 more but can be done faster.
The Shandaken Town Board decided at a recent meeting to repair the water mains on the Bridge Street bridge instead of utilizing the mains already installed on the Woodland Valley bridge but not yet linked to the rest of the water system.
Town Supervisor Rob Stanley said although the Woodland Valley bridge job would be cheaper, it comes with a slew of complications, such as a federal requirement to notify Native American organizations about the project and give them time to decide whether an archaeological investigation should be done.
Having settled on the Bridge Street option, officials hope the work will be done my mid-June. They originally were aiming for Memorial Day.
The problem began when an 8-inch-diameter steel main broke and fell into the Esopus Creek in February. A fire hose has been used as a temporary main since then.
The decision to proceed with the Bridge Street option is not without complications. Stanley said the federal government prefers that a new, plastic-type pipe be used for 8-inch-diameter mains, which means Phoenicia cannot use the steel piping it has in stock. Because using what they have in stock would allow considerable cost savings, Stanley said he is making an appeal.
The town also is trying to reduce engineering costs for the project. The firm doing the design work, Milone and MacBroom, wanted an extra $10,000 to have a staffer on site during the two-week construction periods to watch the progress.
Stanley nixed that plan, saying he and other town officials are capable of handling that task.
"Shandaken meeting to focus on Phoenicia water problem," April 15, 2015
"Phoenicia water problem expected to be resolved by Memorial Day," April 7, 2015
"$150K needed to fix water main problem in Phoenicia," March 13, 2015
"Frozen water main cuts service to some in Phoenicia," Feb. 16, 2015
"In Phoenicia Water District, lower incomes will mean larger grant," Dec. 9. 2014
"Pump purchase for Phoenicia Water District is on hold," Nov. 11, 2014
"Phoenicia Water District customers advised to conserve water," Sept. 23, 2014
"Phoenicia seeks to increase spring water flow to municipal system," Aug. 12, 2014
"Phoenicia Water District backup may need filtration system," July 5, 2013
"Flooding damages Phoenicia backup water supply system," Sept. 25, 2012
"Phoenicia water system needs $1M worth of work," June 6, 2012
Jay Braman Jr newsfreemmanonline
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