The Anchorage Water & Wastewater Utility (AWWU) is working to improve the water system in the Eagle River Heights subdivision. Residents in the subdivision are currently supplied water through a two-inch galvanized pipe located behind the homes. This AWWU water upgrade project will bring the subdivision’s water distribution system up to Municipality of Anchorage water distribution and fire protection standards.
The project proposes to install new water lines in Chandalar, Colville, and Chickaloon Streets. This will require the replacement of existing back lot-line water service connections with new water service connections from the street-side of the residences. All back lot water lines will be abandoned after the new water service connections are complete. Homeowner participation will be necessary to successfully coordinate the installation of the new service connections. Based on the results of the public’s feedback from the initial design study, AWWU has completed the project design for the installation of the new water mains in the street right-of-way to its 65 percent stage.
The Utility developed its 2010-2016 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) which includes the 2010 Capital Improvement Budget (CIB). The proposed CIP/CIB has been submitted to the Municipal Office of Management & Budget for Assembly approval along with AWWU’s 2010 budget. As part of the CIP/CIB development process, an economic evaluation of the Eagle River Heights Project was conducted to provide planning guidance for the replacement of the existing water distribution system. The goal of this evaluation was to determine the most cost effective construction timing, considering both near and long term management of the associated risk(s). The consideration of both environmental impact damage (such as loss of water, vegetation damage as a result of repair or construction) and social impacts (such as traffic, loss of property to fire, disturbance to private property) was included as part of this economic evaluation. This evaluation determined that construction of the complete project is not economically justified at this time. However, it recommends that the Utility should conduct additional field work to assess the physical condition of the existing pipe and better determine its useful life.
ADDITIONAL CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN INFORMATION:Definite construction dates for the complete project are yet to be established. However, in May 2010 AWWU installed two intermediate valves within the water distribution system at both ends of Colville Street. These valves will provide the Utility with the ability to minimize service interruptions to customers if repairs are needed in the near future. AWWU also collected test samples to evaluate the pipe. The results of the pipe condition evaluation will help determine the extent of the pipeline’s longevity as well as the ongoing operation of the distribution system. This will allow AWWU to determine to either continue its design efforts for the system’s replacement or to defer it to later in their CIP.