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Orland Park trustees approve emergency repairs to Wedgewood force main, authorize up to $374,767
Summary
Trustees voted to recommend a contract to ARS Inc. to repair a deteriorated section of the Wedgewood force main after staff described nitrogen‑sulfide corrosion, stone infiltration and temporary bypasses; immediate lining of 620 feet will proceed and the remainder will be scheduled in the capital plan.
Trustees recommended authorization of emergency repairs and payment to ARS Inc. not to exceed $374,767.31 after staff described severe corrosion and structural failure in the Wedgewood force main.
The motion, made by Trustee Lawler and seconded, sought $354,767.31 for repair work plus a $20,000 contingency. Public works staff and operations presenter Joe explained the failure: nitrogen sulfide gas attacked ductile iron pipe and manholes, an earlier epoxy liner installed in 2004 peeled away, and the upper portion of the pipe collapsed allowing stone to enter the line. "The gases ate away the ductile iron and then so all the stone above caved into the pipe," Joe said, describing why stone appeared in the sewer.
Staff said crews implemented bypass pumping to maintain service and have completed most manhole repairs using a fiberglass lining—citing its long track record in nearby Tinley Park. They plan to line roughly 620 feet immediately and incorporate lining of the rest of the force main into the village’s capital planning and future water‑rate discussions as a major capital project.
Trustees pressed staff on inspection and preventive monitoring. Trustee Healy asked whether the condition had been seen before and whether inspections could detect failure sooner; staff said cameraing of force mains is more complicated because bypassing or backups are required but that inspections are part of future capital planning to reduce emergency reaction.
The board called the roll and recorded unanimous ayes to recommend the contract to the Village Board.
The village will proceed with the immediate repairs and return to the capital plan process to schedule broader force main lining and potential rate or financing adjustments.
