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Council presses staff after Gothel Hill emergency 8-inch main installed; Christian Health Center still reports low flows
Summary
Hawthorne engineers and administrators reported that an 8-inch emergency water main on Gothel Hill has been installed and is in service, but hydrant tests and service to Christian Health Center show continued low flows; staff described tuberculation in older cast-iron lines and said further investigation and possible additional replacement work are needed.
Engineer Joe Byrne told the council the Gothel Hill Road emergency 8-inch water main has been installed and is in service, but Christian Health Center continues to experience low flows. "The water main has been installed and is in service," Byrne said, while adding that the Christian Health Center "is still currently experiencing low flows" and that staff will perform additional tests and hydrant installations to measure performance.
Administrator Eric Mauer confirmed that the new 8-inch section is in use but said portions of the prior 6-inch cast-iron line remain in place and were abandoned in place during the upgrade. Mauer and Byrne said hydrant flow tests near the new section measured about 520–550 gallons per minute, an improvement from prior readings but not necessarily the full expected capacity at the higher elevations feeding Christian Health Center.
Byrne described tuberculation—buildup inside older unlined cast-iron pipes—as a likely contributor to diminished flow in sections still relying on older pipe and said the department will provide photos and further analysis. "You can see the type of tuberculation that's happening in the line," the engineer said, noting that full assessment may require additional excavation and testing.
Council members pressed staff on whether the remaining 3,000–4,000 feet of older pipe will need replacement and whether emergency contracting would be appropriate; administration said the borough will investigate costs and risks and may phase the remainder as part of planned capital upgrades rather than a single emergency replacement for the full length.
Staff committed to follow-up with a technical report, photos, and recommendations on next steps and costs for additional 8-inch replacement or remedial work to restore reliable flows to the Christian Health Center.
