Infrastructure Replacement:
Over the past several years, we have experienced an increasing number of service line leaks. Inspection of the system’s older A/C (asbestos/concrete) mains has also shown that the pipe is deteriorating. A/C mains were developed during World War II as an alternative to cast iron pipe due to the war material needs for iron. Originally, the A/C pipe service life was expected to exceed 100 years. Unfortunately, this has proven wrong. Testing of A/C pipe has shown that over time the calcium in the concrete leaches out both externally and internally. This causes a pipe life of only fifty to seventy years with smaller diameter pipes failing first due to its thinner walls. Lower pH water increases the pipe deterioration internally. The Company has over sixty miles (319,060 feet) of A/C main, half of which is 4 and 6 inch pipe. Much of this pipe has been in the ground for nearly sixty years and nearly all exposed to lower pH water prior to the Company starting corrosion control in 1999. Tests completed by Parkland Light and Water on their similarly aged and older A/C mains show a remaining life expectancy of zero to twenty years.
This is not a problem unique to Spanaway or Parkland, but a national problem in all infrastructure areas. Under a fiscally responsible approach, we are reviewing pipe material, size, age, number of emergency repairs, and water source information in order to prioritize water main and service line replacement. Our anticipated approach to this challenge will be to replace at least two miles of the most deteriorated pipe per year. This approach will be phased in as the 176th St E. main relocations are completed. The capital projects fee on water bills will provide revenue for this necessary work. Whenever possible this work will be coordinated with county road and sewer projects to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
The costs for replacing two miles of main including water services, valves, fire hydrants, road and land restoration as well as engineering and permitting will be over one million dollars per year. The Company must also address the life expectancy of wells, pumps, treatment equipment, generators, buildings, and vehicles. Addressing infrastructure replacement will take a long-term physical and financial committment.
