Independent Staff
Stettler town council will tender out a contract to replace two water and sewer mains near 50 A Ave. and 43 St.
The request was brought to the May 15 council meeting as an emergent item, and was not originally listed in the 2018 Capital Budget.
Over the last six months, public works has been monitoring a saturated spot of land in the easement behind 50 A Ave. in northeast Stettler. On May 7 crews excavated the area to repair a leak in the irrigation pipe that had become distorted and cracked.
Twelve homes between 50 and 51 Ave. will be affected by the construction, as fences, sheds, and trees over top of the lines will be relocated. Atco Electric and Alta Gas will also need to work with contractors as their utility services are located within the area.
Council heard the northeast area of town was constructed in the 1960s, and the pipe is no longer suitable for the depth it was buried, or for the current water pressure the town uses. Director of Operational Services, Melissa Robbins told council a repair clamp was installed on the pipe to try to control the leak, but this was only a temporary measure.
Administration recommended the water main in the easement be replaced, and that the adjacent sanitary main should also be replaced. The request also noted the mobile homes on the north side of 50 A Ave. are serviced through that easement, and are made of the same material. As such, it was proposed to replace both water and sewer mains this year if the budget allowed.
An initial cost estimate listed replacing each six home section at a cost of $97,250, plus engineering costs of 20 per cent, or $116,700. This mean that the total cost to replace both water and sewer mains comes to $233,400, excluding GST.
Council approved the request, and directed the funding to come from the 2018 Capital Budget.
landin.chambers@stettlerindependent.com
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