Water main replacement brings greater capabilities to Scott Published Feb. 23, 2011 By 375th Civil Engineer Squadron SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Beginning this week the first signs of a major infrastructure construction project became noticeable across the base as bundles of water main pipe are being delivered and staged in key areas. The pipe's ultimate purpose is to replace the 60-year-old cast iron water mains that have exceeded their useful lifespan. The project is expected to last from March 2011 until August 2012. American Water, the owner of the water distribution system on base, will be managing the installation of approximately 13 miles of new 8, 10 and 12 inch water mains. That's enough new pipe to lap the Scott runway eight times. The primary focus of the work will involve most of the base water system east of Scott Drive, including the Georgian and Colonial Housing areas. Only five percent of the new pipe will be laid west of Scott Drive, including crossings of that main thoroughfare and areas immediately north and south of the Shiloh Gate. Even though the majority of the work will be east of Scott drive, when the project is completed all mission areas of the base will reap the benefits of the new mains, including: -More reliable service; new lines mean less leaks and less water outages. -Increased capacity; the 12 inch loop will posture Scott AFB for future and changing missions, easily handling the needs of Scott AFB mission expansion. -Improved and balanced water pressure across the base. -Resource conservation; the new mains will reduce the need for system flushing and reduce water main breaks. -Improved controllability through automated pressure control valves. -Improved fire protection through better fire hydrant flows and additional hydrants through base. As with all construction work of this magnitude and duration, successful completion will require continuous coordination and teamwork between the contractor, base agencies, facility managers, and housing residents. Construction sequencing and material laydown areas have been strategically planned with careful consideration given to necessitate efficient execution of project requirements and minimize inconvenience to mission activities and base personnel. This project will require extensive excavation, and with excavation there are always unknowns, especially when working in areas where other utility lines may be buried such as storm and sanitary sewers, electrical, natural gas, petroleum and base and commercial communications. Every effort will be made to locate and protect these utilities, but there is always an inherent risk when digging and the possibility of unplanned utility outages. Should that happen the contractors will work quickly to complete repairs. The project will bring with it some adverse conditions of short duration in localized areas. Expected conditions include road closures or lane reductions, sidewalk closures, restricted parking and foot traffic due to excavation work and pavement replacement, slow moving construction equipment, tracking of dirt and mud, and short-term water outages. To allow for proper planning, notifications to facility managers of planned water outages will be made by 375th Civil Engineer customer service personnel. Additionally, periodic coordination meetings will be held to serve as both a notice to users of the upcoming stages of work, but also as a proactive means in mitigating mission interference. Although a construction project of this scope brings with it many challenges and inconveniences during the course of the work, these improvements will benefit everyone working and living on base. Working together, Team Scott can ensure the most efficient and least burdensome execution of this important infrastructure project.