Construction almost complete

In the next two weeks, Halme Construction is expected to complete the last of the water main replacement projects.

Jake Youngren, an engineer with Varela & Associates, said the crews are replacing water main and sewer main lines in the alley between Division and Washington Streets.

Tuesday, Youngren said he expects the sewer line installation in the alley to be completed by the end of this week and the water main to be done about the end of next week.

Water users impacted by the alley work have been connected to temporary water supplies. As the new water main is installed, they will be converted to the permanent water services.

The installation of a new water main and water service supply lines at the fairgrounds should be completed at the end of this week, or a day or two into next week.

A large project yet to be completed is the mandatory 24-hour pump test of the new Well No. 9.

To certify the well, the state requires that it be pumped continuously at 2,000 gallons per minute for 24 hours.

An attempt by Schneider Drilling to complete the pump test derailed when the company’s pump motor failed. Youngren said the drilling company is currently trying to replace the hard to find pump motor.

He said Varela & Associates, the city’s engineering firm, can’t complete the design for the permanent pump and well house until the pump test is completed.