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Plans to replace water line in part of Berryhill Drive

To increase the reliability of our water service, we  plan to replace our water line in part of the eastbound lane of Berryhill Drive in the Weatherhill Pointe  neighborhood as shown on the map below.

 

We now estimate that installation of the new line will begin in the late spring or early summer and may take about 8 weeks to complete after construction begins but this timetable is subject to change. The progress of our work may be affected by weather, unexpected underground conditions, and other factors.

Also, in mid- to late February, a land surveying crew will start work on Berryhill Drive to survey the street, driveways, mail boxes, existing utilities, etc. This work may take up to 2 weeks. Crews will also be marking existing utilities with paint and/or flagging.

What will the work involve? The contractor will dig a trench in the eastbound lane of Berryhill, install new iron water pipes; fill the trenches with compacted soil; and restore the pavement and any other areas affected by our work. Portions of the work may require temporary removal of small sections of driveways, which will be restored after the work is complete. After the new pipes pass tests for holding pressure and water quality, the contractor will connect the new water line to the OWASA meters along it.

How will our work affect citizens in the project area?

  • We will need to temporarily interrupt our water and sewer service to customers near the work area at times. For example, we will need to interrupt service for a few hours when it is time to connect the new line to our meter serving your residence or business (if your property is along the new water line). When we plan a service interruption, we will notify affected customers 1 to 2 days in advance if possible. We will offer bottled water at no charge in advance of a planned interruption of OWASA service.
  • If there is an unplanned interruption of service from OWASA or other utilities due to our work, we will work to restore service as soon as possible in coordination with other utilities as needed.
  • The work will involve noise, dust and mud.
  • Traffic access will be slowed down at and near the work area.
  • As much as possible we will keep at least one lane open for access by emergency and service vehicles, residents/businesses/customers, etc.
  • The new water main will be connected to the existing water main in the intersection of Berryhill Drive and Westbrook Drive. Portions of the intersection will need to be closed to complete this work. The intersection will be open for one lane of traffic at all times.
  • Our work will temporarily block access to your driveway if pipes are installed in front of your property.
  • At times during our work on our water system, our water may be temporarily discolored because particles of iron and manganese in our water pipes may get stirred up, or air bubbles may give our water a milky appearance. If this happens, please run cold water in a bathtub for about 5 minutes. If this does not clear up the water, please call us at 537-4292 on weekdays between 7 AM and 3:30 PM, or 968-4421 between 3:30 PM and 7 AM or on a weekend. The water discoloration may also appear in ice if you have an ice maker. (You may wish to use any discolored ice to water plants, etc.)

We welcome your questions and comments. Please feel free to contact Jeremy Fireline, P.E., at 537-4249 or jfireline@owasa.org whenever you have any questions, concerns, or comments. Also, we would be glad to meet with you and/or arrange a time to meet with a group of people in the neighborhood if there is interest.

Updates: We will be glad to send you periodic updates on our project by paper mail or e-mail if you ask us to do so. E-mail is the fastest, most efficient way to get information to you, especially if we have unexpected conditions such as an unplanned interruption of utility services.

If you have tenants in our project area: Please send us their names and the appropriate address, or ask them to contact us, and we will be glad to send them updates on our work.