Committee recommends $3.2 million from water retained earnings to replace failing Montello Street 20-inch main

The Brockton City Council Committee recommended transferring $3,200,000 from FY water retained earnings into a new water-main capital fund to repair a 20-inch water main on Montello Street after repeated failures.

Patrick Hill, DPW commissioner, told the committee the 20-inch main between Crescent and Lawrence streets has failed six times over the past 18 months. “Each time that we have a failure, we lose approximately a million gallons of water,” Hill said. He explained the failures carry substantial repair costs for plumbing, police details and paving; the project estimate provided by a consultant is $3,200,000, which includes contingencies to cover underground unknowns.

Hill said the work will involve a full resurfacing of the road in the affected section and reconstruction after settlement; sidewalks and curb-to-curb reconstruction will be included. He estimated the run is about 1,800 feet and said the pipe is old cast iron (he referred to it as likely installed in 1898) that is showing repeated fractures in a single section. Hill also noted that similar-size pipe from Perkins Avenue to Howard Street is nearing the same replacement need.

Councilor Farwell asked whether opening the road for this work should prompt a larger replacement of adjacent runs; Hill said he would like to replace the pipe in its entirety but the immediate work will focus on the repeatedly failing section. The commission also discussed retained-earnings use: Hill said retained earnings are intended for capital improvements, the Department of Revenue (DOR) reviewed the city’s rate study, and staff expect a future water-rate increase to sustain the system.

The committee approved the transfer by hand vote to recommend favorably; motion details were not specified on the record.