ROME: Expansive project to replace several hundred feet of water main in downtown Rome is expected to start in April, according to water and sewer department Assistant Director Mike Hackett.
Crews will be putting in new 12-inch water main pipes on East First Street, from First Avenue to Sixth Avenue, and along a portion of West First Street.
“We are in the prep phase right now and plan to meet with downtown residents and business owners to explain to them what will be going on,” Hackett told the city’s Water and Sewer Committee on Monday.
Hackett said the project will help lessen the use of the nearly 100-year-old cast iron 16-inch water main that runs under the middle of Broad Street.
“Any traffic disruption will be limited and (the new line) will prevent any major disruptions if the 16-inch main ever fails,” he said.
Work will be done in three phases and is expected to take between eight months and a year.
Hackett said the project will be done by the city in cooperation with the street, engineering and water departments. He could not provide a cost Monday.
Also, the committee heard about a water meter analysis program that has led to an increase of about $1,300 a month in revenue.
Crews have checked on about half of the system’s 400 water mains that measure two inches or larger and mostly service commercial customers, according to Eric Lindberg, the department’s water and environmental programs administrator.
“It makes really good business sense to do this,” Lindberg said. “It’s not something that is mandated by the state yet, but we feel it is coming down the road.”
Lindberg said the testing can make sure the meters are accurate in measuring the amount of water each customer uses.
