Waterford selectmen approve bid to replace plastic water services with copper in District 2

The Board of Selectmen voted to approve a utilities recommendation to award a contract to B and W Caving and Landscaping LLC to replace existing plastic water service lines with copper on roads in District 2.

Julie, speaking for the utilities team, told the board the crew identified 21 houses that need service replacement and estimated about 660 linear feet of copper tubing would be required; she said about five curb stops might also need replacement depending on field conditions. "We estimate about 660 linear feet of copper tubing that needs to be replaced," Julie said.

Chair praised the program's sequencing with DPW paving, saying the town is doing the work "smarter" now by replacing services before roads are paved to avoid repeated digs. Utilities staff calculated a not-to-exceed contract amount of about $110,000 to cover the work and contingency for field discoveries. Funding is available on line number (205) 315-7881 for plastic water service line replacement.

Board members raised routine questions about project phasing and townwide rollout; Julie said the effort is aimed at staying ahead of the DPW paving program and that the crew has inspected a couple thousand of the town's approximately 7,900 services so far.

The board approved the recommendation by voice vote. The contract award is timed to coordinate with DPW paving schedules and to replace plastic services with copper to reduce future road disruptions. Next steps include finalizing the contract and scheduling work in coordination with the paving program.