Hicksville Water District employees repair water main pipes in the summer. Beginning this fall 2015, more than 20,000 feet of cast iron pipe will be replaced with stronger, more flexible ductile iron pipe.
As part of the Hicksville Water District’s five-year Master Plan, Commissioners Karl M. Schweitzer, William Schuckmann and Nicholas Brigandi plan to replace approximately 20,000 feet of water main pipe in the southeast region of the District. The project is currently in the design phase and will go to the New York State Department of Health for approval in the coming month. The District plans to begin the replacements in the fall of 2015.
“With this tremendous project, the Hicksville Water District shows how it is both reactive and proactive,” stated Chairman Karl M. Schweitzer. “When there are water main breaks any time of day, we respond promptly to repair them. By proactively replacing aging mains, we are preventing further breaks and improving the infrastructure’s reliability to transmit water.”
The Hicksville Water District recently analyzed the existing water distribution system to determine which water mains need replacement. This analysis was based on pipe material, age of pipe and frequency of breaks. Based on this analysis, the District has elected to commence with the replacement of old cast iron pipes with new cement-lined ductile iron pipes. The cement-lined ductile iron pipe is more resistant to the freeze/thaw process and settlement.
“Funding for this major project has been set aside annually as part of our five-year Master Plan, taking thorough planning and investigation into consideration,” continued Chairman Schweitzer. “This process improves efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Instead of incurring the costs to design plans each year, getting approval from the Department of Health and replacing the mains as material costs increase, we design one big water main replacement at 2015 prices, thus saving large review and design fees.”
As definitive locations for replacements are selected, residents will be notified with mailings and provided more information.
