Hampstead officials report higher costs, timelines for water-system modernization project

Zoning Administrator Jim updated the Hampstead Planning and Zoning Commission Wednesday on the town's multi-contract water-system modernization and centralization project, saying pipeline construction on Main Street is nearly complete and bids for four new water treatment plants significantly increased recent cost estimates. The update covered progress on five new water mains, bid results for the last two plant-construction contracts, and town funding and grant commitments.

The update matters because the project covers distribution mains and multiple new treatment plants that the town says will centralize and modernize its water service; changes in cost and schedule affect the town budget and the timing of construction in neighborhoods along Main Street, Murphy's Run Court and Upper Ford Lane. Commission members and staff discussed next steps for contractor selection and permitting.

Jim told the commission that pipeline construction along Main Street, between the tennis courts and the far end of the Green Mountain Station restaurant, is essentially finished except for punch-list items, and crews will move next to the second new water main that will run from Murphy's Run Court across a town parcel to Upper Ford Lane and then to the existing water treatment plant. He said the town expects all five new water mains to be constructed by early June 2026.

At a Sept. 5 bid opening for the last two construction contracts, the zoning administrator said the engineering office produced an updated estimate for the four new water treatment plants of $23,600,000, which, he said, pushed the estimated cost of the entire multi-contract project over $33,000,000. Two firms submitted bids on each of the two contracts; the town received low bids from Conewego Construction totaling $13,700,000 for those two plant contracts, with Wickersham Construction bidding less than $200,000 higher, Jim said. He added the engineersinitial estimate and the contracted-start totals did not match, and staff are reviewing bids and checking references before a contractor recommendation.

Jim said inspection services, pipeline construction, treatment-plant construction and procurement for granulated activated carbon equipment are all now under contract or in procurement. He reported the town anticipated paying some early project costs from local funds and that, as presented to the commission, the town planned to cover roughly $3,000,000 in local contributions and has about $20,500,000 in grant money earmarked for the project. He noted there may be additional incidental costs and that staff will continue to reconcile the engineers' estimates with contract awards.

He said the town expects to have a contractor selected by the November council meeting and is aiming to break ground during the winter, with an engineer estimate of about 18 months for completion of the plant work once construction begins. Jim said staff were performing due diligence on both bidding firms before making a recommendation.

Discussion at the meeting was informational; no formal action was taken by the Planning and Zoning Commission on procurement or contract awards during the session. The commission was told that county and permitting reviews and remaining punch-list items could affect exact schedules and that staff will return with further updates and contract recommendations to the council.

Next steps: continued bid review and reference checks, a contractor recommendation expected before the November council meeting, and winter mobilization if the council approves the contracts.