A. To best serve the water supply needs of AWWU’s customers, the 2005 Anchorage Water Master Plan recommended the following new transmission main and reservoir projects in South Anchorage:1) the Hillside Water Transmission Main,
2) the 135th Avenue–Elmore Road vicinity water reservoir,
3) the Goldenview Water Reservoir,
4) A new transmission main from the 135th Booster to the 164th Booster.These projects, referred to collectively as the South Anchorage Water Improvements Projects (SAWIP), are needed to provide clean, dependable water service (as well as reliable fire water supply) for growing South Anchorage neighborhoods within AWWU’s certificated area.
A. The project vicinity of the four SAWIP projects is roughly between Abbott Road to the north and Potter Creek to the south; Hillside Drive to the east and Lake Otis Parkway to the west.
A. Working with an advisory group comprised of community council and neighborhood representatives, AWWU considered a variety of issues for selecting locations for new reservoirs and water mains, including:1) Elevation (gravity-fed systems eliminate the need for powered pumping stations)
2) Proximity to existing water service lines
3) Groundwater, drainage, and geotechnical conditions
4) Potential impacts to neighboring landowners
5) Availability of undeveloped parcels and landowners willing to sell their property at market value to AWWU for construction of the reservoirs
A. Funds for the projects will come from AWWU’s Capital Improvement Budget, which is financed by loans and bond sales. Customers’ monthly water rates support repayment of the debt.
A. The size of the reservoirs depends on technical needs for fire flow and capacity. A typical reservoir in the AWWU system is 32 feet tall, with a diameter dependant on the tank volume. Previous planning has proposed a volume of 5 million gallons (MG) for the Elmore/Huffman Reservoir and two 1-million gallon (MG) reservoirs in the Goldenview vicinity. The sites proposed for the 1-million gallons reservoirs are at the current AWWU reservoir location at Prominence Pointe (currently under construction) and at proposed Legacy Pointe, which is not currently scheduled for construction and will depend on future development plans and funding. The diameter of these reservoirs will be approximately 170 feet and 90 feet respectively. A small operations building will also be located on each reservoir site. The areas will be fenced and landscaped and a service road will provide access for AWWU work crews.
A. Construction of the creek crossing will begin in February 2010 when water flows are at their lowest level. The creek will be temporarily diverted through a culvert and a temporary road built to facilitate construction. Following construction, the creek will be restored using vegetation salvaged from the project area during construction per guidance of Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (see cross section below).
A. Construction on the Hillside Water Transmission Main began in fall 2009 and will continue in spring 2010. Prior to construction, each reservoir project must first receive a conditional use permit from the Municipality of Anchorage’s Planning and Zoning Commission. Construction on the Goldenview Water Reservoir began in 2009 and is expected to be completed in 2010. Design and construction of the Elmore reservoir is planned in 2010 through 2012. The water main from 135th Booster Station to 164th Booster will be addressed in the upcoming Water Master Plan update.
- How can I get more information? | to top
A. Go to the following pages:
