Valdosta approves $133,000 design contract to address Sugar Creek sanitary sewer breach

Valdosta Mayor and council voted to approve a $133,000 professional design services agreement with LEA to survey, design and obtain railroad permitting to repair a breach in the city sanitary sewer line along Sugar Creek.

The contract covers surveying, design work and applications needed to seek occupancy and permitting from Norfolk Southern for a proposed reroute of the sewer main away from the stream-side bank. Jake, the city's chief engineer, told the council the work follows a recent rainfall-driven failure that exposed and displaced multiple pipeline segments and caused sewage to discharge into the stream. "We plug the manhole upstream and downstream of the break," Jake said, describing the temporary pressurized bypass system currently in place. "We engage with the contractor to perform fusing work necessary to create a closed pressurized system between those two isolation manholes, and then we operate a pump in perpetuity to keep the sewer moving through the system."

Why it matters: the city is operating an emergency bypass to prevent further discharge into Sugar Creek and is paying a contractor to run that bypass while permanent repairs are designed. Council heard that options were evaluated, including rebuilding the bank and re-burying the pipe (which would require a state stream-buffer variance) or abandoning the line and building lift stations. Staff recommended rerouting the pipe to the upland side of the railroad tracks to remove the main from the stream-side bank and reduce the chance of repeated failures.

City engineers told council the proposed approach is preferable because the stream banks at Sugar Creek are composed of easily eroded "sugar sand" and are likely to shift during severe rain events. Jake said the recommended plan would abandon the damaged stream-side section, cross under the railroad at a more stable upstream location and run parallel to the tracks on the upland side. He cautioned, however, that the city is "beholden to Norfolk Southern" for permission to use the railroad right of way and that the railroad could require plan changes or deny the proposed routing. "If Norfolk Southern pushes back ... we may have to go back where the line currently is," Jake told council, meaning additional design and cost could follow.

Cost and scope: LEA's proposal covers the immediate survey, design and railroad permitting work for $133,000. City staff explained the fee increased from an earlier, lower figure because an additional nearby break was discovered after the agenda packet was published and LEA was asked to expand its scope to include that location.

Council also heard that the longer the city waits to complete permanent repairs, the more it will pay to operate the emergency bypass. Jake asked council to approve the design contract so the city can get plans submitted to Norfolk Southern and put the work out to bid to capture market pricing for construction.

Council action: The council approved the agreement with LEA for survey, design and railroad permitting for Sugar Creek sanitary sewer repairs (approved by show of hands). Jake and staff noted they would return to council if Norfolk Southern requires rerouting or if additional design funds are needed.

The city manager and public works staff said emergency bypass operations would continue while design, permitting and later construction proceed.