City DPW sets manhole cleaning schedule

Before photo of Kirk Park manhole (east side)

After photo of Kirk Park manhole (west side). Photos courtesy of City of Manchester.

by Marsha Chartrand

“We have spent a lot of money and done a lot of talking this year, about water and sewer infrastructure in the city,” said City Manager Michael Sessions. “We have many pipes in town that have been identified as problems and the inefficiency of the system is costly to the end user — the customer, the taxpayer.”

This cost generated by the system is not only the pipes and pumping system but the chemicals that are utilized in the water treatment process. Sessions indicated that the amount of water treated has increased by 20 million gallons, which is significant for a city the size of Manchester, and definitely a significant cost for the end user in this small town.

At the April 16 City Council meeting it was decided by Council to set aside $14,000 from next year’s budget to prepare for a manhole cleaning project along Adrian Street. This project was expected to begin after the July 1 budget year began, but as it turned out the contractor had time available in April so work started last week in Kirk Park.

“The sooner we can keep costs down the better,” Sessions said. “And that’s what we’re here for, to keep costs down.”

In conjunction with the sewer cleaning, the DPW has been working on a hydrant flushing/cleaning project, which will make sure all hydrants will be inspected annually and flow tests will be performed on a five-year minimum schedule.

“I think this is something that has been let go for a long while,” said DPW Superintendent Brent Jones. “We want to get it back on track. The flushing can help with low velocity and a little discoloration you may be noticing in your water. One of the 60 hydrants that we have done so far, one we found was from 1912. So we need to update our system.

“Once we get all of the 134  hydrants fully flushed, we will start valve turning in mid May. All of this is trying our hardest to make sure the end user benefits. Our staff is well educated to make sure that this is all done properly. So when we knock on your door, you don’t need to think it’s bad news — we just want to make sure that you understand how this is all working for you.”

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.