By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
On Monday, June 17, an approximately $500,000 Nephi
City water project began digging with a single crew.
The crew began work necessary to place a 16-inch water
line under the freeway overpass at 700 North.
"The contractor for this construction work is Claw
Construction, Inc. from Wales," said Randy McKnight, city
administrator.
McKnight said property owners along the route had been
sent a letter informing them of the project and of its
scope.
The line will be constructed on the west side of 300
West from 200 North to 600 North, on the north side of 600
North from 300 West to 900 East, on the west side of 900
East from 600 North to 700 North, and on 700 North from 900
East to the blue storage tank and the irrigation pond east
of Nephi.
"The purpose of the construction project is to be able
to deliver more water to the storage tanks and to the
irrigation pond and our objective is to complete the project
as soon as possible," McKnight said.
Water from a city-owned well at the street department
equipment shed at 200 North and 300 West will be placed in
the new pipeline. The well, once used to place water
directly into the water delivery system at the site, has not
be used for some time.
"The well will be used to provide backup for our basic
supply that comes from springs," McKnight said.
In addition to the springs, the Jones well has been
the major supply of water during the heat of summer when the
springs, by themselves, no longer provide an adequate amount
to keep the storage tank at capacity.
It is not that the supply from the springs decreases
at this time, in fact, water from those sources actually
increases with the warm weather, said McKnight. But the
increased demand makes it so that additional water is needed
to meet the needs of outdoor watering.
There has been no backup for the Jones well, said
McKnight. That has been a concern to the city council.
If anything were to happen to make it necessary to
repair the pump, for example, water for fire protection and
other uses which take an inordinate amount would suffer.
"There will, ultimately, be three crews working on the
project," said McKnight. They will work in tandem to get the
project finished so the water from the well can be used this
season.
"The contractor will work to minimize inconvenience to
property owners along the route and to vehicle and
pedestrian traffic."
However, there will be, as with all construction
projects of this magnitude, a certain degree of
inconvenience, noise, dust and mud.
"Large trucks and heavy equipment will be used on the
project," said McKnight. "We are asking that those who have
small and curious children remind them to stay clear of the
construction zone."
Some of the restoration work will follow the
installation of the water line and its initial operation and
testing, said McKnight.
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