Water updates before council

Aqua Ohio Area Manager Scott Ballenger provided Tiffin City Council with an update about 2014 water main replacement projects and announced several projects for 2015 during the meeting Monday evening.

He said pipes were replaced on East Perry Street in conjunction with the sewer improvement project. Pipe replacement is to be completed by the end of the month on Main Street, he said.

Ballenger said other projects included replacement of old fire hydrants, placement of new fire hydrants, valve replacements to minimize the number of houses out of service in an emergency and elimination of dead ends in the line.

He said Aqua Ohio tries to coordinate with city projects so all work is completed at once, as was the case with pipe replacement on East Perry Street.

Ballenger also said about $2.6 million is expected to be invested in infrastructure projects next year.

Although it is subject to change, pipe replacements are scheduled on Ann Street, Park Place, Avery Street, Melmore Street, Hall Street and Nile Street.

Councilman Jim Roberts said work took very long on the Main Street project and when he tried to contact Aqua Ohio to find out when the project would be completed, he could not get answers.

Due to safety issues, he was concerned about the time taken on the project. He also said sections by Heidelberg University and on South Washington Street seemed to be completed much quicker.

Ballenger said Aqua Ohio did get work near Heidelberg University done faster due to the start of classes. He also said South Washington Street work was completed due to the Heritage Festival.

Although Ballenger said Aqua Ohio coordinated with schools concerning busing and other safety issues, workers cannot foresee every obstacle.

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Water updates before council