Instalation of new 3" water main pipe line.

Allen Plumbing starts installing the new 3" water main pipeline on Monday, Aug. 3, 09. They are estimating 3 weeks to complete their portion of the job. Once they are done an asphalt & concrete contractor will repair the drive & walk ways. Repair of landscaping will be the final thing done. Total construction time will run 4-5 weeks. Total cost estimated at $38,000. (NOTE: The cost breaks down as follows: 3" pipe, $34,000; repair drive & walk ways, $3,000; and repair landscaping, $1,000. The project will be funded from the surplus left over from the building/carport renovation.) (NOTE: Left click on the pictures to see them at full screen size.)

Background: On Saturday, Dec. 13, 08 we discovered a leak on the main entrance island to ITC. As we tried to fix the problem it got progressively worst. Friend's Plumbing initially responded, but the job turned out to be too much for them. Allen Plumbing & a Dunedin Water Department Supervisor came in next. It took them until 4:00 AM, Sunday morning to get things under control. The problem was an extreme leak in the 3" water main pipe line that runs from the Dunedin City pipe to our buildings. The cracked pipe had to be cut out and replaced. That was when we discovered the REAL PROBLEM. Beside having a 4" long crack, the pipe was over 70% blocked by corrosion. According to Allen Plumbing, & the Dunedin Water Department Supervisor, the corroded condition runs through the entire line, and there were probably additional cracks elsewhere along the line. Both strongly advised that we replace the entire system as quickly as possible. The Dunedin Water Super. guesstimated that we had maybe 6 months left. (NOTE: There is a trough, in the grass, running parallel to the 3" water main line, which may indicates more cracks and leaks along the line.) It was decided to hold off the start of this project until the roof was completed. At the time we were expecting the roof project to be finished in May 09.