Beyond Repair: Most of Walla Walla's Pipes Need to Be Replaced

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Story Published: Oct 28, 2009 at 5:29 PM PST

By Lena Vargas

WALLA WALLA-- Talk about money going down the drain: the City of Walla Walla estimates one billion gallons of drinkable, treated water are wasted each year because of leaky water lines.

But the problem runs deeper than that. The city’s sewer lines and streets are also in need of repair.

The city estimates 80 percent of its sewer and water pipes need to be replaced. But the patches are not all underground, they’re also on city roads.

City Engineer, Wrandoll Brenes and Public Works Operations Superintendent, Tom Purcell say the city now has to play catch up because of decades of not planning ahead and setting aside money to replace pipes as it was needed.

"You could almost throw a rock and where ever that rock lands you're going to find something underground, whether that's a bad water line or a bad sewer line, or a street that has an unacceptable condition rating,” said Purcell.

For at least one home in one neighborhood this week that meant a flooded basement.

"What happens in some areas is if your neighbor flushes and you're washing the dishes, you might actually see a drop in pressure,” said Brenes.

That's just the beginning. Purcell worries a burst pipe could cost businesses.

"There are situations that do give me heartburn," said Purcell.

Purcell and Brenes say the pressure to keep utility rates down and an environmental focus beginning in the 1960’s with the Clean Water Act have been obstacles to getting the necessary work done. But now the city doesn't have a choice. Too many leaks, patches and cracks cost money in other ways. Wrandell says 30 percent of the water processed at the city’s water treatment plant is lost.

Plus, there are simply too many bumps in the road and underground to let "bumps in the road" get in the way.

The city estimates it will take 70 years and $350 million to replace all the broken pipes and fix the roads. It proposes a utility rate increase that would cost the average household about eight hundred dollars over the next five years.

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