Nassau Bay council awards $1.77 million contract to replace aging waterlines

The Nassau Bay City Council on June 9 approved a $1,770,310.80 contract with McKinney Construction to replace aging water distribution lines in the city.

The work covers about 18,700 linear feet of distribution pipe up to 12 inches in diameter and includes new fire hydrants, valves and water service connections; two add-alternates would add roughly 680 linear feet of 8-inch pipe and up to 610 linear feet of 6–8-inch pipe depending on pricing. The motion to award the contract passed unanimously, 6–0.

City staff said the project will increase pressure and capacity in residential areas, provide redundant water pressure for firefighting and reduce the frequency of line breaks. “This is an exciting project for me because this is one of the core areas of our city that needed replacement,” a staff presenter said during the meeting. Council members noted the project brings the city nearly to the utility program’s original goal of roughly 15 miles of replacement; with this award the city will be at about 14.5 linear miles replaced to date.

Councilmember Chase moved to accept the city manager’s recommendation and award the bid to McKinney Construction; Councilmember Sarah seconded. After questions about remaining coverage and a commitment to publish maps showing completed and remaining segments, the council voted to authorize the city manager to execute the contract.

The city said regular public updates will show project progress and maps of the segments completed and remaining. Construction is expected to proceed this summer; staff noted the program has already reduced monthly line breaks from historically 10–12 down to roughly one per month in recent months.

The council did not amend the contract award on the dais and approved the manager’s recommendation as presented.