327 Zone Upgrades and Pipeline Replacement for the Town of Friday Harbor, WA: 2005 - This project consisted of installing a new high flow / low head pump and replacing approximately 1700 LF of deteriorating 6" ACP water main with new 8" PVC. The work also included three hot taps, complete replacement of 18 existing residential services, two new fire hydrants, a new combination air-vacuum valve and a new air release valve.

The intent of the project was to improve fire flow to a hilltop area served by a small existing hydro-pneumatic system by keeping the pump on standby while the hydro-pneumatic system operates normally. In a fire event the pump operates when high water demand draws system pressure down below the low end of the normal range. A side benefit to the town was the greater reliability of the new water main, as the old one had become subject to frequent failures. The contract was awarded to Award Construction, Inc. of Bellingham, WA at a base bid price of $319,249.73.

The project was challenging for a number of reasons. The alignment lay close to the existing transite water main, passed by some large madrona trees requiring protection and turned out to be at the same elevation as most of the sewer laterals on Marguerite. The close proximity of the old water main to the new alignment was an issue because older mains in the Town were often laid around rock outcroppings, meaning that one could never rely on a planned separation distance. Due to the fragility of the old transite, insufficient clearance could (and did) lead to unexpected ruptures.

During the project WHA checked the traffic control and signage daily, and photographed the placement of signage, barriers and traffic control devices. This was fortunate, as there were several instances of motorists and bicyclists willfully ignoring traffic control provisions which could have led to payment of claims had the provisions not been documented.

When the vendor of a pre-manufactured equipment enclosure for the pump installation refused to honor the price it quoted during the bid, WHA supported the project by designing a small stick built, conventional light framed building to enclose it.

After disinfection and testing of the new main, we monitored the release of disinfection water, continuously testing both upstream and downstream of the dechlorination point.

Wayne Haefele & Associates, Inc. provided construction management, inspection and field engineering to the project and provided certification of the completed project to DOH. Construction was completed in July of 2005 at a cost of $335,045.81.