Our house and our block is scheduled for cast iron water main replacement this summer.
Unfortunately the open houses explaining the project, costs and so on to home owners in March had to be cancelled once the COVID-19 lockdown started.
The cast iron water main program, planned over 20 years to re-lay about 25 km of this aging pipe, is in its fifth year with $5 million to $6 million funding this year.
Fixing broken cast iron water mains costs the city $2 million a year. Not replacing them would endanger water supply safety. Some small United States communities delayed line replacements until the system collapsed and now distribute potable bottled water.
Cost was the big issue when this city began talking about replacement in 2014-15.
Under the formula, homeowners pay 68 per cent and the city pays 32 per cent.
But there is a catch. The city shares only costs from the water main to the property line. Anything on the private property is up to the home owner to pay and includes replacing porches, steps, private sidewalks, trees and pipe.
Owners can pay for the work on their tax account over seven years at four per cent interest.
Homeowners are encouraged to replace water connection lines with 163 in this year’s program.
Lead water lines are targeted for health concerns. Lead lines can cause issues with children’s learning, speech, nerves and kidney health.
The program with a city subsidy to the property line has drawbacks. If the homeowners choose not to replace the lead pipe from their property line or into the house, the lead issue isn't resolved. Indeed, the connection will likely disturb the lead and cause more lead in water.
Some homeowners have water pipes running under the house for up to five metres, making lead pipe replacement prohibitive cost wise.
The situation creates a small group of houses with permanent lead pipe issues and fails Canada Building Code standards.
If any replacement is done after the current projects are complete, be prepared for much more expense than now.
Sewer lines will be replaced in the current project when necessary. All no corrode lines must be replaced.
HBT Enterprises of Moose Jaw can be hired to take a video of the sewer lines and determine if replacement is needed.
Estimated water and sewer line costs, according to the city, will vary depending on the method chosen to replace the lines and factors like lot size and amount of work.
To do a replacement of water and sewer by an open trench is estimated at $9,500.
Trenchless replacement to avoid disturbing trees and landscaping is estimated at $12,500.
The cost of new pavement and curb amounts to about $4,000 in either case which makes the cost seem more reasonable.
Ironically, when the city first broached the replacement plan six years ago, the city manager told a public meeting that replacement included a free coat of new pavement.
Nothing is free, especially when bureaucrats or politicians say so.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
