Pocomoke City schedules spring 2025 start for phase 2 of SIP water-line project after EPA grant

Pocomoke City will begin phase 2 of a cured-in-place pipe (SIP) project in spring 2025, the mayor announced at a council meeting, saying the work will run from Seventh Street up to Front Street and will cover most of the town’s districts.

The announcement matters because the work is intended to seal lead and copper residuals from the distribution system without full open excavation. “Phase 2 for our SIP line project will start in the spring of 2025,” the mayor told the council, adding that the route will include Districts 2, 3 and 4 and follows recent work in Districts 1 and 5.

City Manager (on the record) confirmed federal support for the next phase. “We also received roughly $800,000 from EPA, for the next phase of the zip line project,” he said, adding that the award should reduce pressure to use ARPA funds if a shortfall emerges. Staff described the technology as cured-in-place piping intended to limit lead and copper leaching into drinking water.

Officials said the city aims to avoid winter work because of weather risks and to limit damage to residents’ driveways and streets. City staff acknowledged inconveniences during phase 1 and pledged more attention to flagging and traffic control; the manager said contingency funding is available and contractor Mainline America has used flaggers to limit impacts. “We apologize for the inconveniences. We’ve heard from people. We’re trying to work with people, both minor and major inconveniences having to do with the project,” the city manager said.

Next steps: staff and council will proceed with procurement and scheduling; the mayor asked council to watch for upcoming RFPs and pre-bid meetings for related road and sidewalk work. The council did not take a separate formal vote on the project schedule during this meeting.