Each time a water main breaks, we put on a bandaide and wait for the next.
At the infrastructure meeting last Monday, Christ Perra spoke of cities that have actually redone their entire underground system, specifically he mentioned Carthage and Bushnell both of which are much smaller cities. The only way to repair is to dig up the street either old or newly paved so the persistent question is, What repairs should be done first?
Is is worth it to spend millions of repair dollars on our city streets knowing that beneath that nice street pavement are water mains popping like popcorn? If you were on the committee what would your advice be?
The newer areas of town do not have the breaks that are constantly happening anywhere from Shooting Park south to the Illinois River.
The city will be installing pressure reducing valves in about 5 different locations in town. Our SPW recently talked to the LaSalle SPW where they have already installed these devices and feel it helps in reducing the number of breaks. No one seems to have an answer to the whole problem, because the infrastructure which we can't see is so very old and will need to be replaced someday. The big question is, Can we afford to? or Can we afford not to?
7 comments:
The water breaks keep the workers busy and supply them with overtime. Why would you want to take this away from them? The city workers have got to have something to do, besides ride around and waste fuel to justify their jobs.
One rule the workers follow. Always make the repairs when overtime is required. Is that something new that pressure relief devices are being used? It makes you wonder.
Has anyone asked who has access to the area where the pressure gets regulated? Perhaps someone has a vendetta with big forearms and strong hands and cranking the valves? Just another conspiracy theory is all.
The fix on Peoria and 11th was just done 3 months ago or so too. Must've not have fixed it right the first time .
Lois, there is at least one break a day, if not two. I am aware that the City is ordering equipment to help reduce the time needed to repair a line and give these guys a rest. As for overtime, I honestly don't believe that is true that the crews only come out after hours. Please check the call out logs from the Police Dept if necessary. Lines don't conveniently break only 7-3 mon thru fri. Would the two jackass commentators really believe these guys want to be on a water main break in freezing temperatures at night or on the weekends? 7days a week? That being said, I do believe there is more to the story as to why all the lines are blowing now. Seems odd. A good engineer or manager would and should investigate the issue further. Ask ALL the staff, they know.
Many times the breaks are discovered by the police on patrol and they can usually make the judgement as to whether it is an emergency or not. It seems the calls is usually It can wait until morning.
Maybe these are the kind of emeergencies that Alderman Potthoff was describing this last council meeting when talking about the $3M bond issue.
Incidentally , his comment never got in the news trib reporting of the council meeting . Strange isn't it ?
Favoritism would you say ??????
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