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Rockdale to pay for pump and line to restore bookstore sewer after suspected TxDOT damage
Summary
After staff reported rubble and likely clay-pipe collapse in a lateral serving a downtown bookshop—damage staff believes resulted from a TxDOT contractor—council authorized city crews to make repairs and agreed the city will fund a grinder pump and force main installation while the property owner covers electricity and ongoing maintenance.
Council authorized city crews to repair a damaged sewer lateral at 202 West Cameron after staff presented evidence of rubble and potential clay-pipe collapse that has interrupted service to a downtown bookstore.
City staff described a yearlong problem the business has experienced and said camera inspection shows rubble in the line that likely originated during a TxDOT sidewalk/road project. "It's believed that they damaged the existing sewer main," city staff said, describing clay pipe with rubble and repeated flushing attempts by city crews.
Public Works staff reviewed options including excavation to the highway main (which could be costly and disruptive), lining the existing pipe (not feasible given the collapse), and installing a grinder pump with a small force main to connect to a nearby city sewer connection. Staff recommended a pragmatic approach: install a grinder pump and run a force main to a nearby tie-in point to restore reliable service with less highway excavation.
Council approved a motion authorizing the city manager and public works to proceed with repairs. Under the motion the city will pay for the grinder pump, the force main and the required tap, while the property owners will be responsible for electrical service to operate the pump and for future maintenance/replacement. Council directed staff to seek participation from TxDOT and its contractor and to document the city's expenditures and owner responsibilities in an agreement.
City Manager Tim Kelty told council staff will prepare an agreement and continue efforts to recover costs from TxDOT. Public Works noted that the final price will depend on what camera and exploratory work reveal once crews open the line; staff estimated the less-invasive grinder-pump option would be materially cheaper than reopening across the highway but said costs are still contingent on field findings.
The council vote approved the repair authorization and funding approach without changing city policy that property owners are ordinarily responsible for lateral repairs, citing the compelling facts that the damage appears tied to a state contractor project.
