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Exposed Sandy River force main prompts emergency work; WES seeks disaster funding
Summary
Staff told the advisory committee an exposed Sandy River crossing requires replacement and armoring of two pipelines; the board approved alternate delivery, emergency approvals were obtained from federal and state reviewers, and FEMA funding is being pursued.
Jeff Stallard reported that a force main crossing at the Sandy River was exposed during recent storm events and that the program will move forward with emergency replacement and armoring. He said the board authorized alternate delivery (progressive design-build) and the utility obtained emergency approvals from federal and state reviewers to begin work quickly.
"We are targeting and it looks as though we'll get some disaster funding to replace this pipeline," Stallard said, noting staff were still determining the potential levels of FEMA contribution and navigating other funding paths. He described a plan to armor the exposed crossing with large rock and to drill/replace pipelines under the river to move the infrastructure out of migration zones.
Staff said the work is high priority because the crossing includes both a water pipeline for a neighborhood association and the utility's force main; they have begun meetings with regulators and expect to return to the board with delivery details in the coming weeks.
Next steps include completing delivery procurement under a progressive design-build approach, coordinating with impacted property owners and regulators, and pursuing federal disaster funding.
