Newton approves $253K sewer lining project

The city has been authorized to repair thousands of feet of sanitary sewer mains. Newton City Council on April 15 awarded the more than $253,000 bid to a Perry-based contractor, which will install cast in place pipe (CIPP) lining to repair the sanitary sewer pipe and manholes without the need to damage the street.

According to city council documents, the utilities department has prepared plans and specifications for the proposed 2024 sanitary sewer lining project, which includes about 6,103 feet of CIPP lining, about 124 service reinstatements and 42 CIPP end seals in three general locations.

Video camera footage found several segments of the city’s sanitary sewer mains were in need of repair. The repairs are generally located in or upstream from areas where sanitary sewer surcharges have occurred due to excessive infiltration of groundwater or restrict flow caused by tree roots.

The city states lining is an acceptable method of repair sewer pipes because it does not require crews to excavate and repave the street. All unused service wyes, pipe joints and cracks are permanently sealed by the liner preventing sewage from seeping into the environment and groundwater into the sewer.

Four bids were received for the project. The low bid from AccuJet LCC, of Perry, was $253,484, which was a few thousand dollars below the engineer’s estimate of $258,363. The completion date for the project is Dec. 31, and it will be paid with Water Pollution Control Funds.

Other bidders included: Insituform Technologies with a $254.340.72 bid; Municipal Pipe with a $260,651.80 bid; and Hydro-Klean with a $262,424.23 bid.