YORKTON - Yorkton Council approved its 2023 Water Main Replacement Program tender award at its regular meeting Monday.
“The City’s 2023 water main replacement program is scheduled to replace 590 meters of cast iron pipe on Circlebrooke Drive between Glenbrooke Drive and Parkview Road. Since its original installation in 1966, this section of water main has experienced 15 breaks, many of which are classified as blowouts indicating pipe integrity is severely compromised,” explained Trent Mandzuk – Director of Public Works with the City.
“In 2022, the City’s program was expanded at the end of the season to include 190 meters between Glenbrooke Drive and Riverview Road. This was done as an emergent response following a number of water main breaks in the area, one resulting in a sanitary sewer collapse causing a number of sanitary backups.”
This year’s project intends to carry on with water main renewal as well as replacement of service connections from the main to property lines as part of the program.
Two bids were received for the project, with the lowest being slightly over the estimated budget, explained Mandzuk.
The lowest tender was from Accurate HD for $2,672,691.30.
Funding for this project will come from the following sources:
* $720,000 from 2023 annual water main replacement budget
* $284,000 from 2023 annual sanitary sewer replacement budget
* $100,000 from 2023 annual trench repair budget
* $1,818,700 from Water Works 2023/2024 capital budget (total $3,335,000)
Mandzuk also noted, “Cost of install is up approximately 15 per cent on average in comparison to 2022 pricing.”
“As a comparison water rates were increased 4.75 per cent for 2023.”
“Homeowners were offered to have the remaining portion of their service connections replaced as part of the project for a flat rate of $4,000. 15 residents signed on to participate in the program,” added Mandzuk.
The $4000 cost is about half regular costs, and can be paid over four years, interest free.
The 15 sign-ups are approximately one-third of the properties on the line.
