Dover Drive slated for replacement after tests show elevated turbidity; engineering complete

The City of Salina presented plans for a targeted replacement of water mains on Dover Drive and adjacent blocks after concentrated water-quality complaints and testing.

Martha Tasker said engineering for Dover Drive, 10th and 11th Street and Larson Avenue is complete and she proposed advertising the project with an estimated construction cost of about $2,000,000. "We're putting those plans and specs together... we'd look at advertising the project," Tasker said.

Tasker summarized local testing: "We did 33 tests. Thirteen of them were below 5, then they were between 5 and 10 at 8 locations and 10 to 16 at 12 locations." She told commissioners that even if some homes on a block have clearer water, the city expects to replace lines in the whole area because the pipe is aged.

Staff said the Dover project will use funding from the capital reserve fund and that bid timing is planned to allow contractors to order materials and complete shop drawings so construction can begin as early as spring after award. Commissioners requested follow-up with firm cost, schedule and communications plans for impacted residents.