Utilities department outlines South Heenger water-line replacement and new leak-detection plan

Dennis, the utilities department head, told the Leitchfield Utilities Commission on July 16 that crews are preparing for a major, phased replacement of the South Heenger water line and will install a short section of sewer line as part of that work. He warned residents to expect road impacts and described the job as large and slow-moving, with crews planning to work in short sections to make tie-overs and reduce disruption.

"We're gonna be laying new water line up here, and we're gonna do a short section of sewer line up," Dennis said, describing the South Heenger project as a multistage effort. He added crews will open short segments, get water onto the new sections, then make tie-ins rather than attempting the entire run at once.

The department is also tackling daily water leaks across town. Dennis said some leaks are in very old sections of pipe — "probably 1 of the oldest lines still in our system" — and that crews are making incremental progress. To improve detection, the department has ordered a new listening device and intends to assign or hire a trained operator to use it.

Commissioners discussed the age and condition of various mains, including lines dating back to the 1960s and 1970s, and agreed the scope and difficulty of the work make contractor coordination and phased construction appropriate. Dennis said staffing is currently adequate and that the crew frequently shifts duties to help each other when needed.

The commission did not take formal action on the South Heenger project at the July 16 meeting. Dennis said the work will proceed in stages and emphasized the need for patience and careful coordination to avoid missed connections and unnecessary service interruptions.

The commission will receive updates as the project advances and as the department begins using the new leak-detection equipment.