Little Rock Wastewater tells public of heavy work

Pipe redo starts Monday for 3 areas

Little Rock Wastewater is about to embark on the construction phase of its $157.6 million, multiyear project to rehabilitate its aging pipe infrastructure.

The project's design phase began in 2014, and work is to take place through 2023. This year alone, $16.7 million is projected to be spent.

Work will begin Monday, starting in the Leawood, Briarwood and Wingate areas.

"The work we are getting ready to perform is an important aspect in improving the wastewater system and ensuring its reliability for generations to come," Wastewater Chief Executive Officer Greg Ramon said.

The effort has been dubbed Project RENEW: Quality Water. Quality Pipelines. Quality Life.

"This project will renew the sewer system's infrastructure by replacing the city's aging pipelines," a news release said.

Objectives include sealing the sewer system to keep out rain and groundwater, reducing backups into the environment and homes, and providing a reliable sewer system.

The wastewater utility began its first public notice Thursday with a meeting for the Leawood neighborhood.

Residents in construction areas can expect construction traffic, large equipment and some noise as the project continues. There will also be lane closures at times.

Much of the revenue for the projects will come from sewer-rate increases. A 4.75 percent rate increase was implemented in 2016. Another round of increases will raise monthly sewer charges by 4.75 percent every year from 2017 to 2021.

For customers who paid $30 a month for sewer services, their payment increased to $31.43 in January. Their franchise fee -- a 10 percent charge levied on all sewer bills -- went from $3 to $3.14. By 2021, the customer will pay $39.64 a month with a $3.96 franchise fee.

Leaking and deteriorating pipes cause stormwater to get into the sewer system, causing overflows during heavy storms.

That's a major problem for the utility, which is under a consent decree from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality and a court order due to a lawsuit settlement with the Arkansas Sierra Club mandating that the utility fix sewer overflows citywide by 2023.

Little Rock Wastewater is using a form of trenchless technology called pipe bursting to rehabilitate its infrastructure.

"A new pipe, typically of larger diameter, will be inserted into an existing pipeline by creating a bigger opening through existing pipe and pulling the new pipe through the old pipe. This reduces the length of time it takes to complete construction and minimizes disruption to property," a pamphlet handed out Thursday said.

The following areas, as classified by the utility, are scheduled for projects this year: Allsopp North, Country Club, Leawood, Echo Valley, Pleasant Valley, Lower Swaggerty, Springer Boulevard, West Markham, Fair Park, Bishop, Grassy Flat, Allsopp Park and Country Club, University Avenue, Roselawn Cemetery, 17th Street, Granite Mountain, Rose Creek East, Victory Street, Rodney Parham, Markham to Rodney Parham, Upper Country Club, Jimerson West, River Ridge and 36th Street to Mabelvale Pike.

Metro on 02/05/2016

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