By By Adam Prestridge
The Atmore Utilities Board is preparing for another major project, which will aid in reducing rainwater in the city’s sewer system.
According to Utilities Board Manager Tom Wolfe, a sewer relining project will begin in the coming weeks at an investment price tag of $550,000.
The cost of the project was included in the nearly $8 million upgrade the Patricia P. McKenzie Wastewater Treatment Facility underwent nearly two years ago as part of an Alabama Department of Environmental Management directive, Wolfe said. The improvements to the sewer plant virtually replaced, upgraded or added to the existing infrastructure at the facility. The relining project will help lower the amount of rainwater that seeps into the sewer system.
Wolfe said the ponds are nearly full with millions of gallons of rainwater employees have not been able to filter through the treatment plant due to the constant rains. The relining project will also aid in keeping the basins less full.
Insituform of Mobile was awarded the bid for the 90-day project, which will begin with the main sewer lines along numerous roads in town being cleaned and videoed. The relining project was bid out due to lack of resources, Wolfe said.
Work on main lines, laterals or both in the center of streets will be performed on Alexander Drive, South Main Street, South Pensacola Avenue, Rollins Place, South Presley Street, McRae Street, Magnolia Street and East and West Pine streets.
Wolfe added that workers would be digging up all the individual service lines and repairing/replacing them from the main to the property line.
With some rain forecasted mid-week and more to come next week, the project could not begin any sooner.