RDA to fund 8‑inch water service; irrigation backflow replaced after repeated failures

The Fall River Redevelopment Authority heard May 28 that it will pay $42,000 to install an 8‑inch water service for 600 Duval Street after MassDOT declined to cover the cost, and that staff replaced a failing irrigation backflow preventer and plan to store the device indoors during winter months.

Karen Martin, project manager, told the authority MassDOT had determined the water service installation would not be covered under the DOT enterprise arrangement, so the RDA will pay roughly $42,000 for the connection; the city contracted with D.W. White to install the line and will reimburse the RDA for the work on the water main that serves the property.

Irrigation backflow issue: Martin said the property’s irrigation backflow preventer failed repeatedly after freezing damage and that the contractor rebuilt it previously under warranty. After a second failure, staff had it replaced and expect to budget a repair bill in the next month’s warrant; Martin estimated the immediate replacement and related work would appear as about a $2,500 charge on the next warrant. She said the RDA will remove the backflow preventer at season’s end and store it inside to prevent winter freeze damage.

Ownership and maintenance clarification: staff said water service ownership will be split at the meter—anything from the street to the meter is city responsibility, and anything on the RDA side of the meter is RDA property. Staff planned to confirm parcel lines and any needed easements with DOT plans and deeds.

Next steps: staff will confirm property lines, coordinate installation with D.W. White and expect to see the installation charge appear in upcoming warrants. The board did not take a separate roll call vote on the water service payment at the meeting; members discussed property and easement responsibilities during the update.