City residents in Traverse City, Michigan will likely be footing the bill for the next several years to upgrade the city’s aging sewer and water systems. The proposed increased rates being driven by an improvement plan that includes about $20 million in water and sewer projects over the next several years.
Water rates are expected to increase $2 for the first 600 cubic feet of water used per month. Residents will be charged $18, up from $15, per 1,000 cubic feet for anything over that base amount. Sewer rates are expected to increase to $40 for the first 600 cubic feet of wastewater, up from $37 previously. The average water customer in Traverse City uses about 1,200 cubic feet of water per month. The rate increases are up for possible approval as part of the city spending plan by commissioners on June 4.
One of the biggest projects to take place over the next several years is the replacement of several water mains on the east-west transmission. The mains vary from 6 – 12 inches and will be replaced with 24-inch mains. The work will be done in six phases over the next six years, with the first phase planned for 2019.
Traverse City’s water system started with a private network of 7 miles of wooden mains. The city purchased it in the early 1900s to build a municipal system, eventually replacing all of those wooden mains. The mains now being replaced are a mix of ages that date from the early 1900s to the 1960s and 1970s. The city has been very aggressive in replacing hundreds of “gooseneck” pipes that are about 3 feet long and connect homes and businesses to the water mains. There are only four known pipes left to replace.
One project that is taking priority is a cracked sewer line under East Front Street. The crack runs for a few hundred feet down the top of the pipe and is taking on water, but not leaking. The line will be repaired using a sewer lining process in which an epoxy sleeve is inserted into the pipe and then cures in place. This process is known as trenchless pipeline rehabilitation or Cured-In-Place-Pipe. Perma-Liner™ is the leading manufacturer and supplier of trenchless pipeline rehabilitation equipment and materials in North America. This particular repair is estimated to cost more than $390,000.
If you are looking for information on protecting, lining and repairing pipes, or for the nearest installer, contact Perma-Liner™ Industries today. For almost 20 years, we have developed systems to rehabilitate existing sewer systems without excavation. Our experience in the CIPP industry has allowed us to design, patent and manufacture state of the art technology in order for us to repair structures without excavation.
Attention all Michigan residents and installers, Perma-Liner™ Industries has an event for you to attend! Everyone is invited to our LIVE DEMO June 27 – 28 in Plainfield, Illinois. Click here to register and find out more. You can expect to have our knowledgeable staff on hand demonstrating to you the latest CIPP technology. We hope to see you there!
