(File Photo/paNOW)

By Susan McNeil

City Hall

Water main leak affecting P.A. industrial area and Pine Grove to be fixed next month

Nov 28, 2023 | 6:00 AM

A year after a water main leak was first identified in a city-owned water pipe east of Hazeldell, the City of Prince Albert has approved a plan to fix it.

The leak has been affecting water pressure at Pine Grove and the North Industrial area and has even impacted the ability to make snow at the ski hill at Little Red Park.

The valve to that part of the pipe has been shut off since last year.

“At the time the decision was made to isolate the line because a persistent leak wouldn’t have been good for the system in that area,” said Jeff da Silva, acting Director of Public Works.

Staff first noticed last year that there was more water than normal in the wetland area, so they investigated and shut off the valve as a precaution.

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The pipe that is leaking is cast iron and was installed in 1961 said da Silva in his report to council. Those pipes are prone to breaking because of the material and their age.

Replacing the pipe is better than repairing it as it’s not in an area that is easily accessed by equipment. Making the repairs while the wet ground is frozen is ideal.

While there were initially no issues seen with water pressure, that has not been the case this year and the fire department has made alternative plans for Little Red because of the lack of pressure in the hydrants there.

To fix the main, some ground will need to be cleared, the main excavated and 285 meters of new water line installed using directional drilling before being connected to the existing pipe system.

The total cost of the project is an estimated $225,000 with the money mainly coming from the Sanitary and Storm Replacement Program.

da Silva said the project should be done before New Year’s Eve.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com