Thursday, December 20, 2012

Winter Schedule

Hello again everyone,

In the last progress update the winter schedule for the water main contracts was still up in the air.  Since then, the contractor has decided that the areas highlighted in yellow would be good sections to tackle.  One section is the east most portion of #3, north of the rail road tracks and east of Daisy.  The other is #8, south of the tracks and east of Begonia.  It is anticipated that between these two sections and assuming some bad weather at one point or another, this should be enough work to last through the winter.  As these sections near completion we will keep everyone updated as to where they will go next.



 
Thank you everyone for stopping by again, be sure to have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Pictures from the Best View In Town (post 2 of 2)

Here are just a few more pictures.


 
Looking north west at Spencer Park and Town Hall

Looking straight down from the access hatch in the side of the tower!
Thank you, as always, for your interest.

Pictures from the Best View In Town (post 1 of 2)

Hello again everyone,
 

So here are the pictures I mentioned. These were taken yesterday (12-4) from on top of and inside the tower. Click on the pictures for a full size view and check the captions for a brief description. Enjoy
 
Looking north from Town Hall to Creek Side Commons subdivision


Looking west along Halleck St


Looking west at Spencer Park
Looking up inside the bowl of the tower (where water will be held)

 

Progress Update

Hello again everyone,

I hope everyone had a happy thanksgiving and is excited for the holiday season.  There has been a lot of progress since the last schedule update and things are going well. 

Contract A: The treatment plant building itself is complete except for some minor finishing such as painting.  The three wells are ready to pump water.  Bacteria tests from each of the wells have been submitted and we are currently awaiting results.  The instillation of the process piping within the plant is underway but it is not anticipated to be complete until mid January. 

Contract B/B1: The updated the progress map below shows all of the water main that has been installed so far.  Approximately one third of the water main has already been installed.  As I have previously mentioned, they contractor hopes to continue working through the winter so long as the weather cooperates.  Over the next month they will be working south Birch St SW from 9th St to 15th St, as well as north on Almond St NW from 3rd St to 6th.  After these sections are completed (they will be worked on simultaneously) they have not decided where they will work next.  It is worth mentioning that whatever areas they choose next will be areas where the main is to be installed under grass parkway, so sections that have the main under pavement will be postponed until spring.  The reason for this is that the plant which makes hot mix asphalt closes over the winter, so the roads would not be paved until spring. 





Contract C: The tower is complete! The next time you are driving down Halleck St or enjoying Spencer Park be sure to have a look.  There is still some minor site work to be done, and the Tower has to be sterilized before put in use.  I will post some pictures I took from the very top of the tower yesterday as soon as they are downloaded. 

The NORWEJ board has made a decision on which meters to go with: they have chosen a no-lead brass bodied Neptune meter.  A decision has been made to offer a monthly training class for plumbers and contractors who are interested in helping homeowners connect to the water system.  The first of these classes will be offered sometime in January.  Once all of the details for the class are worked out more information will be made available.  There will be a public list of those who have completed the training class to help homeowners made an informed decision when choosing who they want to do their work. 

As things are looking now, the first users should expect to have water available in late February to early March.  And subsequent sections will be turned on as they are completed. 

Thank you all again for working with us and understanding.  And be sure to check back real soon for the pictures!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Pictures of Progress

Grimmer's excavator in the intersection of 9th and Birch
One of Pheonix' workers putting the finishing touches on the water tower

Above:  Another one of Phoenix' painters uses a roller to apply the epoxy based paint onto the tower.
Below:  LJ Keefe installs steel casings for the water main to go under Halleck.  Once the casings are augered into place the water main is carefully installed inside. 

Friday, October 19, 2012

What is being done to ensure quality work on the water main?
By David Brunsting and Nick Tremmel
When a community is investing in a large project such as the NORWEJ water main in DeMotte, quality of the workmanship is essential. It is certainly of the utmost importance to Abonmarche Consultants as well. Engineers and inspectors have a few tools at their disposal to ensure the main has been installed without any faults. Those tools come in the form of tests, principally a timed hydrostatic leakage test and a bacteria test. The municipal water main must pass these tests to ensure that it is ready for service prior to allowing the public connect to the main. We at Abonmarche oversee these tests.  The pressure testing portion is outlined in this post.
Leaks in a municipal water main are problematic and can be costly. First, a water leak is essentially money being dumped into the ground. When water is pulled out of the municipal well it costs the system in the form of wear and tear on equipment and energy to run the equipment. Since the processed water leaking into the ground will not go through a water meter the costs of treatment cannot be recouped. Even small leaks can cost municipalities tens of thousands of dollars per year if left unattended. Second, leaks can be destructive to existing infrastructure. Even small leaks can undermine and collapse roads and other structures. Additionally a leak invites the possibility (albeit a slim one) for contamination of the water in the line; whereas a sealed system provides a physical barrier to contaminating bacteria.
If the water main could be installed above ground, inspection for leaks would be very simple. Just fill the main with water under system pressure and look for drips. Obviously, water main cannot be installed above ground and must be buried so the question becomes, how do we ensure the connections are acceptable? The answer is pressure testing indicates any leaks and bacteriological testing indicates any contamination from the installation.
The way it works is rather simple. The main to be tested is filled with water and air is expelled by opening hydrants along the way. Once the pipe is completely filled with water from a clean well and almost all of the air is out then the contractor connects a hydrostatic pump to the main. The hydrostatic pump will bring the pressure of the entire line up to the test pressure which in our case is 100 pounds per square inch. This test pressure is roughly two times the system working pressure of 50 PSI. The pump is turned off and the main is held at test pressure for a period of two hours. Because it is almost impossible to get 100% of the air out of a water main the pressure will begin to lower slightly, as seen in the picture. These minor losses are expected, and they are the result of the remaining air trapped in the main, temperature differences, minute movement of the pipe itself and other very miniscule factors. The minor losses do not necessarily indicate a leak, but we have to be sure. There are specifications that lay out (based on hypothesis and empirical data) which draw a line, so to speak, between acceptable and unacceptable pressure losses. After the two hours have passed and there has been a drop in pressure the contractor has to pump the main back up to 100 PSI. The specifications (in our case American Water Works Association, AWWA, C605) outline an allowable amount of water to be used to return the line being tested to the original pressure. This make up water typically amounts to 1 to 2 gallons depending on the length and diameter of the line being tested. Should they go over the allowable amount the test fails and the contractor is responsible for correcting the issue. It is common for a line to initially fail a pressure test but pass on a subsequent attempt. This is most commonly the result of excess air in the main. Though quite rare, on occasion a leak can be found; the cause of the leak could be any number of things, be it material issues or improper instillation or something else altogether.  


Thursday, October 18, 2012


 Pictures of Progress

Above:  Stock pile of 8" diameter pipe near the intersection of Birch Street and 15th Street.

Left:  Workers from Grimmer Construction bolt together an 8" tee on Birch Street just across from the DeMotte Library.

Below:  One of several hydrants installed on 700w just north of 1350n. 

(Photos by David Brunsting)

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Progress Update

Hello again,

As you may or may not have noticed, progress on all three parts of the project are moving right along. 

On contract A, the well field and treatment facility, the block work for the building is now complete.  As you drive by on 700W take a look to the east and you can get a good idea of what the facility will look like (without a roof that is). 

On contract B, the water main, they are nearly finished with the second section (see updated map below).  One crew will finish up the connection at the highway (US231/SR10) and Begonia then move to 10th st and Halleck Street.  There they will be working southbound along the east side of Halleck Street (there will not be any lane closures on Halleck Street).  Another crew will continue working in the alley one block east of Halleck Street from 10th Street to 8th Place.  The third crew will be testing water main that has already been installed on Begonia, 10th St, 9th St, 8th Place, and Azalea.  They will also be installing services where tests have passed and finally doing restoration work after the services have been installed.  You may have noticed a crew from the directional drilling subcontractor working along Halleck Street as well.  They will be drilling a few areas where open cut instillation is too difficult.  These drilled lengths of pipe will be around 500 feet long and the regular pipe crews will tie onto them sometime down the road. 
On contract C, the tower, fabrication is complete.  The fabrication crew will be cleaning up today and tomorrow, then they will head out.  The next step will be painting.  The paint crew will be here as soon as they can, possibly late this week to early next week.  They will put up a tent around the tower when they paint to protect both the finish as well as the surrounding area from paint.  The hope is to have the painting complete before winter, but that depends on weather.
 
Hopefully this helps to keep everyone informed.  Thanks, as always, for stopping by.

 

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

What To Do When Construction Is In Your Neighborhood

 
Hello again,
 
As construction progresses into residential areas more and more people are becoming aware of and possibly worried about the presence of the construction personnel.  Unfortunately there will be some inconveniences with road closures and construction equipment that some may consider unsightly.  I'm sorry to say this is just the nature of construction.  Hopefully this post can help to limit the number and severity of any inconveniences and make the everyone aware of any that are unavoidable. 
 
The first important point to raise is participation, that is your participation.  When you are driving and see traffic control such as barricades or reflective drums they are there for a reason and should not be ignored.  There are times when a road may be closed to through traffic and only open to local traffic.  This means just what it sounds like, that if you are trying to get through the area you will have to take a different route.  We realize this can be a hassle but it is necessary when construction personnel and equipment are moving around the area.  If your destination is within the block designated as closed you should still be able to get there, as we try to be conscientious of any driveways (residential or business) and allow access.  A good rule of thumb to go by if you are not sure whether or not you can get through is just to stop and ask.  This is more respectful than driving over some one's property and, more importantly, much safer. 
 
When construction does enter your neighborhood there is process that is followed.  The first thing to be done is clearing any trees or other vegetation out of the right of way.  Trees that cannot be saved and need to come down will be removed by a professional tree removal company.  The company has experience dealing with tree removal as well as trimming; which they will use to make decisions on whether or not a tree can survive branch and root trimming or if it will have to be removed.  The trees and bushes that will be removed will all be on Town owned right of way and will not be replaced.  This is mostly due to the safety issues having trees in close proximity to the road can cause.  After clearing is complete the pipe crew will make its way down your block.  They typically get 200-300 linear feet of pipe in a day, just to give you an estimated time frame for how long they will be on your block.  Once all the water main in a section is installed it will be pressure tested. Once it passes the test the water services themselves will be installed from the water main to the right of way limit.  Finally after all of this work is done a restoration crew will come through.  This crew will restore topsoil, plant grass seed, patch driveways removed, and replace any other asphalt or concrete that was removed or damaged.  Once this is done that should be all for the construction on your block; at this point you can breathe a sigh of relief. 
 
A common question I have been receiving from residents is, "What's the next step once I've paid my sign up deposit?"  Well, after the main is installed on your block everyone who is signed up for water will recieve a wooden stake with blue markings in their yards and a letter like whats below on their door. 
As the letter says, you can move your service for your convenience but we ask that you do it with our help to make sure it stays in a reasonable place.  It will be best to know your well location at this point, as in most cases your water service will enter your home at the same location as your well used to.  If you are not sure and would like some guidance a local excavator or plumber may be able to help. 
 
Once the service for your home has been installed to the right of way you will be responsible for the connection from there to inside.  We are currently in the process of choosing a water meter manufacturer and model to use; once one is chosen all users will have to use the same meter and meeter pit.  
 
That's all for now.  Thank you again for your interest.  My next post will be an update to the schedule map showing the progress that has been made since it was originally posted, so be sure to check back soon.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Project Schedules

 
Hello again,
 
Here is the much anticipated post in which I will address the schedules for the different parts of the contracts.  I'd like to begin by saying all information is estimated and very subject to change.  We intend and hope to stay with the schedules but in construction that unfortunately doesn't always work.
 
Contract A - Well Field and Treatment Facility
The building itself is anticipated to be done in early October.  The treatment equipment is expected to be installed by the end of November. 
 
Contract C - Tower
The tower is expected to be assembled by the end of September.  If the weather cooperates the intent is to have it painted by the end of November.  If this does not work it will have to wait until spring to be painted. 
 
Contracts B and B1 - Water Main
Both water main contracts have be broken up into ten separate sections.  The map below shows the approximate locations and limits of each of these sections.  Each of the sections generally have the same amount of pipe to be installed and as a result are expected to take about the same amount of time, somewhere around 4-6 weeks.  The order in which the sections will be completed is based foremost on being out of the way for other anticipated Town projects.  After that the order is based on the Contractor's judgement and may get switched around.  So long as the weather allows it, work is planned to progress through the winter rather than taking a break. 
Section 1 - For the most part, finished now 
Section 2 - From now until early October
Section 3- Early October to mid November
Section 4 - Mid November to mid December
Section 5 - Mid December to mid January
Section 6 - Mid January to early March
Section 7 - Early March to mid April
Section 8 - Mid April to late May
Section 9 - Late May to late June
Section 10 - Late June to early August
 
I would again like to stress that this schedule is likely to change and is really intended simply to give residents a general idea of when to begin expecting work in their area. 
I would also like to note that the first users should not expect water until Spring of 2013. 
Again, I'd like to thank everyone for their curiosity and taking the time to visit.  My next post should be up very soon and will be a very basic to-do list for users who have signed up for water.  

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Project Overview

Hello again,

This particular project is among the largest water main projects in all of Indiana right now.  In order to make things easier for everyone involved in the project administration and construction the entire project has been broken down into four parts. 

The first part (Contract A) deals with the well field and treatment facility. The plan is to have the plant and wells up and running by sometime early next summer or spring.  Here is the view from earlier today. 
 

This picture shows the two underground water tanks that were poured over the last few days.  The things that look similar to ladders are the metal forms used to hold the wet concrete in place.  Now that it has cured and hardened they are in the process of being removed, leaving behind the neatly formed tanks. 


The next two portions of the project are for the instillation of the water main pipe itself.  There are approximately 24 miles of pipe that will need to be installed over the next year and a half.  The north west part of DeMotte makes up Contract B1, and all other areas are included in Contract B.  As of today the workers are finishing up on County Road 700W (also known as Orchid Street within the Town limits) and at the same time making their way west along Division Street.  Here is a picture taken on Division St just west of Town Hall from earlier this morning.



The picture shows one of the workers standing inside a tranch box.  The box is the workers' best friend.  Its purpose is to keep the sides of the trench supported so that the workers can work underground without fear of the walls caving in a burying them.  The pipe is buried five feet below the surface and varies in size.  The main from the well field to the tower is ten inches in diameter, as it gets further from the tower it tapers to eight inches and even further yet it reaches its minimum diameter of six inches. 

Another interesting part of these two contracts is the instillation of the fire hydrants.  This picture shows one that has been installed on County Road 700W, a bit south of the well field. 


The hydrants will all look the same, and they will be set back from the road along the right of way limits.  Along most roads this is twenty feet or so, but it does vary considerably depending on the particular road.  They are spaced approximately 500 feet apart so that firefighters will always be able to connect to one close enough to a building.  The hydrants do look a bit different from ones you may have seen in surrounding communities.  The ones being installed on this project have a special connection to allow fire fighters to connect their hoses quicker than a typical hydrant.  The hydrants will not be active until they are supplied with water from the wells about a year from now.  Once they are active residents should be sure to contact their homeowners insurance agents because nearly all policies will provide a discount for being in range of a fire hydrant. 

The final portion of the project is the water tower (Contract C).  The water tower will hold 500,000 gallons of clean freshwater.  It will be located just southeast of Spencer Park.  The design has a single stem with a large closed 'bowl' on top.  Its technical name is a "pedesphere" (think of pedestal and sphere) but some people refer to it more simply as a huge golf ball on a tee.  The water in the tower will be 160 feet above the ground at its highest.  The foundation for the tower is approximately six feet deep and sixty feet in diameter.  It has been finished for a few weeks now.  Currently the tower fabrication crew is working on welding all the pieces of the steel puzzle into their correct places.  The bottom cone section of the tank is in place and the stem sections are being assembled on the ground.  Here's a picture taken earlier today showing their progress so far. 




Thank you again for stopping by to learn more about this exciting project.  In the coming days a rough schedule for the different contracts will be posted so be sure to come back soon!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Greetings!

Hello to all interested parties,

Welcome to the official Northwest Jasper County Regional Water District (or NORWEJ for short) blog.  The purpose of this blog is to inform any and all interested parties about the progress and anticipated schedule for the water project.  The hope is to have a blog which is updated approximately on a weekly basis with any developments, changes, pictures, or otherwise valuable information.  Ideally this will be an easy to use and condensed source of accurate information to be used by any future users or simply anyone with a curiosity towards the project.

Thanks for the visit, more to come shortly!