According to Scott Tadych, public works and utilities director, the sewer interceptor line partially collapsed on Sept. 9 in the rear of property located at 2410 Oxford State Road and runs along Dick’s Creek within an easement. He said the 42-inch diameter corrugated metal pipe was installed in 1967 and that the line serves central and east Middletown.
This was the second collapse this year on this section of pipe, according to Tadych. He said emergency bypass pumping was set up immediately and that the city contacted Howell Contractors for a quote to repair the line. That quote was $370,000, which was consistent with other city projects in the past, he said. The pipe replacement process is expected to take about a month to complete, he said.
Currently, the rental fees, fuel and maintenance for the bypass pumping is costing the city about $1,000 per day.
Tadych recommended replacing the pipe to eliminate the possibility of future collapses instead of spending about $130,000 spot repair for a short term fix. In addition, he recommended adding a $100,000 contingency to cover the costs any unforeseen issues and do some additional clean-up work on the affected property.
Replacing the pipe also counts toward requirements of the city’s consent decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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