Virginia American Water Invests $1.7 Million in West End Water Main Replacements

Virginia American Water Invests $1.7 Million in West End Water Main Replacements

Virginia American Water is investing $1.7 million to enhance water service for customers in both the Wakefield/Tarleton and Strawberry Hill communities in Alexandria’s West End.

“Virginia American Water is proactively working to replace the aging water infrastructure in the City of Alexandria,” said Kristina McGee, PE, engineering manager who oversees the company’s capital investment program. “The company continues to invest resources in infrastructure to help ensure that water service is always reliable for homes, businesses and fire hydrants.”

Virginia American Water has started simultaneous main replacement work on two separate projects:

• South Gordon Street, Vermont Avenue, Garden Drive and Usher Avenue: Virginia American Water’s contractor, Utilities Unlimited, will replace 2,510 feet of aging 6-inch cast iron water main with 8-inch ductile iron main. The project is expected to last 3 to 4 months, weather permitting. Construction begins on South Gordon Street at Duke Street and will move south to Vermont Avenue. Construction will continue on Vermont Avenue, Garden Drive and Usher Avenue.

• North Early Street, Taft Avenue, North Donelson Street and North Floyd Street: Virginia American Water’s contractor, Utilities Unlimited, will replace 2,790 feet of aging 2-, 6- and 8-inch cast iron water main with 8-inch ductile iron main. Construction is estimated to last 3 to 4 months, weather permitting, and will begin on North Early Street at Duke Street. The construction will move to Taft Avenue and North Donelson Street through April 2019. North Floyd Street construction is scheduled to begin in March 2019 and will last approximately one month.

Crews will work weekdays between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Evening and weekend work is not expected, unless required to maintain the project schedule. Once the new mains are installed, residents impacted by either project may experience a temporary water interruption as the new mains are connected to the service lines at each address. This service interruption typically lasts one hour, and residents will be notified of the impending interruption at least 3 days in advance. Once water service is restored after the new main is placed into service, water may be slightly discolored. If this happens, customers are encouraged to run the water until it is clear.