Water Main Projects
Project work typically includes excavation, water main installation, service connections to the new main, and replacement of sidewalk, drive approaches and road pavement as needed. Construction notices are mailed to property owners adjacent to projects prior to construction.
2020 Water Main Projects
CAP1910 Water Main Improvements
- Harrison Avenue - S Main Street to Batavia Avenue (continuing from 2019)
CAP2010 Water Main Improvements
- Forest Avenue - Symes Avenue to Stephenson Highway
- Farnum Avenue - Campbell Road to Kenwood Avenue
- 11 Mile Road (north side) - Dorchester Avenue to Kenwood Avenue
- Helene Avenue - Barrett Avenue to Brockton Avenue
- Longfellow Avenue - Harrison Avenue to Lincoln Avenue
- Vermont Avenue - Lincoln Avenue to Fifth Street
- Seventh Street - Vermont Avenue to Blair Avenue, Knowles Street to Troy Street
- Rembrandt Avenue - Lincoln Avenue to Sixth Street
- Altadena Avenue - Lincoln Avenue to Sixth Street
- Fifth Street - Alexander Avenue to Knowles Street
Forest Avenue - Symes Avenue to Stephenson Highway
The city will install new water main on the north side of the street by directional drilling methods between the sidewalk and curb. Driveway approaches will be removed and replaced on the north side of the street. From Symes Avenue to Stephenson Highway, deteriorated sections of road pavement will be removed and replaced, along with replacing some handicap ramps.
Farnum Avenue - Campbell Road to Kenwood Avenue
The city will install new water main on the south side of the street by directional drill methods in the public right-of-way. Gravel road sections will be regraded, and some sections of existing pavement will be removed and replaced, along with replacing some of the handicap ramps within the work area of water main installation.
11 Mile Road (north side) - Dorchester Avenue to Kenwood Avenue
The city will install new water main on the north side of 11 Mile Road in the public right-of-way between the sidewalk and curb. Some sections of concrete pavement will be removed and replaced at the N. Kenwood Avenue intersection.
Helene Avenue - Barrett Avenue to Brockton Avenue
The contractor is required to complete the work on Helene Avenue between June 15 and August 21, 2020 in order to avoid conflicts with Oakland Elementary School. The city will install new water main on the east side of the street, by directional drilling methods between the sidewalk and curb. From Barrett Avenue to Brockton Avenue, deteriorated sections of road pavement will be removed and replaced, along with replacing some handicap ramps.
Longfellow Avenue - Harrison Avenue to Lincoln Avenue
Consumers Energy plans to replace the gas main along the west side and renew gas line services before the contractor begins construction. On the west side, the city will install new water main in the street and under the curb. Pavement base and driveway approaches will be removed and replaced on the west side within the work area of water main installation. On the east side, some curbing and driveway approaches will be removed and replaced. The intersections at E. Harrison Avenue and E. Lincoln Avenue will be replaced with concrete. Longfellow Avenue will be milled and resurfaced with asphalt.
Vermont Avenue - Lincoln Avenue to Fifth Street
The city will install new water main on the west side of S. Vermont Avenue between the sidewalk and curb, crossing to the east side of the street at E. Seventh Street, and continuing north between the sidewalk and curb. New water main will also be installed on the north side of Seventh Street between S. Blair Avenue and S. Vermont Avenue. Some of the curbing and driveway approaches will be removed and replaced within the work area of water main installation. The street will be milled and resurfaced with asphalt between E. Lincoln Avenue and E. Sixth Street.
Seventh Street - Knowles Street to Troy Street
The city will install new water main on the north side of the street between the sidewalk and curb. Most of the concrete curbing and driveway approaches will be replaced on both the north and south sides along with asphalt milling and resurfacing of the street.
Seventh Street - Vermont Avenue to Blair Avenue
The city will install water main via directional drilling on the north side of the roadway. Disturbed pavement will be removed and replaced within the work area of water main installation.
Rembrandt Avenue - Lincoln Avenue to Sixth Street
The city will install new water main on the west side of S. Rembrandt Avenue and crossing over to the east side at the intersection of E. Lincoln Avenue. New water main will also be installed within the public alley between S. Rembrandt Avenue and S. Blair Avenue. Concrete pavement and driveway approaches will be removed and replaced within the work area of the water main installation. The existing asphalt pavement will be milled and resurfaced.
Altadena Avenue - Lincoln Avenue to Sixth Street
The city will install new water main on the west side of the street between the sidewalk and curb and crossing to the east side of the street near E. Sixth Street. On the west side, concrete curbing and driveway approaches will be removed and replaced within the work area of the water main installation. On the east side, some curbing and driveway approaches will be removed and replaced. The street will be milled and resurfaced with asphalt.
Fifth Street - Alexander Avenue to Knowles Street
The city will install new water main on the north side of the street between the sidewalk and curb. Between Knowles Street and Kayser Street, most of the concrete curbing and driveway approaches will be replaced on both the north and south sides, along with asphalt milling and resurfacing the street. The water main will cross through Grant Park and the work area will be protected from visitors using construction fencing. Park areas disturbed by water main installation will be restored with topsoil and seed. From Irving Avenue to Alexander Avenue, new driveway approaches will be installed on the north side and deteriorated sections of road pavement will be removed and replaced.
During Construction
During construction, there may be limited street access to properties and driveways to allow for construction equipment, excavation work and paving work. “No Parking - Tow Away Zone 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.” signs will be posted 12 hours in advance where required to allow for various construction operations.
Water main projects require temporary water shutoffs to adjacent homes and businesses, generally 4 to 8 hours in length. Affected residents are notified 24 hours in advance of shutoffs, with the exception of emergency shutoffs.
Garbage is picked up as usual during construction unless otherwise notified. Garbage pickup on construction projects is often picked up at 7:00 a.m. to avoid interfering with construction operations for the day.
Disturbed lawn areas damaged by the contractor’s operations will be replaced with topsoil and sod. Depending on the season, restoration is often delayed until the fall when temperatures are more favorable for sod. The city does not replace special landscaping, brick, timbers, plantings or shrubs placed on city’s property or within the public utility easements.
Cloudy Water
Water can appear cloudy and/or rusty whenever there is a large draw of water from the water main, which is relatively common near water main projects. This can occur when water valves are opened and closed, when there are water main breaks, and when hydrants are flushed or used by the Fire Department.
Naturally occurring mineral deposits that accumulate within the water main get stirred up and become suspended particles, thus producing the discoloration in the water. Discolored water is temporary, and while unappealing, it is not harmful.
What to do?
Residents should run the cold water faucet closest to the meter (usually located in the basement or outside hose bib) for several minutes until the water runs clear. If the water does not clear after 20 minutes of flushing, contact the Department of Public Service at 248.246.3300. Residents should avoid running hot water or washing clothes while water is discolored.
Construction Notices
Click here to view copies of the construction notices that were mailed to property owners abutting the various construction projects.