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Engineering firm urges hydraulic modeling and phased pipe work to address low pressure in South Zanesville
Summary
Quicksall & Associates (part of Spicer Group) told council that hydraulic modeling should precede phased replacements to address low pressure and aging pipes; funding eligibility and local match will shape scope and scheduling.
Quicksall & Associates, now part of the Spicer Group, presented engineering options for South Zanesville’s aging water system at the Nov. 3 council meeting, advising that hydraulic modeling should be the first step to identify flow restrictions, pressure issues and pipe conditions.
The firm said full village-wide replacement is rarely feasible because of cost. Instead, it recommended phased upgrades informed by modeling results to target problem areas and to produce conservative system-wide cost estimates for grant applications. Quicksall noted that many grants set coverage caps and require a local match; determining low-to-moderate-income (LMI) areas can affect eligibility and funding strategy.
Quicksall also highlighted common causes of low pressure—buildup in old lines, collapsed sections, undersized mains, tank levels and routing—and said staff should decide whether initial work will evaluate the full system or focus on specific sections when the firm prepares estimates. The firm emphasized that engineer selection is qualifications-based, with price or negotiation to follow.
Council members and staff noted the village’s growth and aging lines as drivers for study and the need for governance continuity for a long-term, multi-year project.
If the village directs Quicksall to proceed, next steps would include scoping, hydraulic modeling, developing phased cost estimates and pursuing grant funding with a local match as required.
