The City passed an emergency ordinance at its Jan. 23 meeting to undertake emergency sewer line repairs on property located at 401 Jefferson St. The City closed the street beginning on Jan. 17 when it was made aware of a sewer line failure after a large sink hole appeared on the southern side of the home. This line is a transmission line that connects a manhole at the intersection of Amulet and Jefferson Streets with the transmission line that runs North and South along the western bank of Cane River Lake.
It’s not possible to repair or replace the sewer line in its current location as it’s located partially beneath the home. Working with the property owner, the City has developed a plan to replace the existing sewer line with a new sewer line to be located to the South but still within the property.
The scope of the work for the replacement will include removing bypassing and plugging the old line, installing a new sewer line from the manhole at Jefferson to the transmission line that runs along the western bank of Cane River Lake. Installation of two manholes and the re-connection of service to homes in the area. In addition to the sewer line replacement, a pecan tree will need to be removed from the proposed right-of-way and the sink hole will be filled with flowable fill.
The replacement of the line must be made as soon as it’s practical in order to provide for the continued sewer service to residents in the area in order to provide for public health and safety and in order to address the sink hole before additional damage is caused to the improvements on the property, as well as additional damages to the sewer system.
The City Utility Director and the City engineer have developed a plan to relocate the sewer line and fill the sink hole. Quotes include:
- Removing, bypassing, plugging the existing sewer line, installing a new sewer line, installation of two manholes and the re-connection of service to homes in the area, not to exceed $250,000
- Removal of pecan tree for $2,800
- Fill in the sinkhole with flowable fill, not to exceed $40,000
