Sandpoint OKs water main contract

SANDPOINT — The city is partnering up with The U.S. Department of Agriculture for a significant expansion of water mains this year and next year.

City officials recently awarded a contract for the installation of two large transmission mains to Noble Excavating, Inc., a contractor based out of Libby, Mont. The contract, which totals to $2,331,031, is funded in part through the closing of the water bond passed by voters in 2009, plus an additional $200,000 taken from the water reserve fund. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded the city a $1.1 million rural development grant which can be applied toward the project.

The project is separated into two sections: Schedule A and Schedule B. The first involves the installation of a 1,100-foot-long, 28-inch diameter transmission main from the recently-expanded water treatment plant under Sand Creek to around Larch Street. The second transmission main, a 7,300-foot-long, 24-inch diameter pipe running parallel to the Montana Rail Link tracks, will stretch from the water treatment plant to Emerald Way in Ponderay. According to the contract terms, work on first transmission main must be completed by April 30, 2014, while the second needs to wrap by this November.

The project is slightly pared down from its original vision, which included a third phase. This transmission main is projected to extend from Emerald Way to Kootenai’s commercial sector.

However, Public Works Director Kody Van Dyk said there wasn’t enough money available to expand water mains that far, and city officials used their right to drop that section of work from the contract.   

The new water mains are the next step in the expansion of the local water system, kicked off by the official opening of the expanded water treatment plant in June. The facility has been in full operation for most of this year and increases local water treatment capabilities from 3.5 million gallons per day to 10 million gallons per day, all the while meeting all current and anticipated filtration and health standards.