Construction crews are almost done work on this year’s leg of the town’s cast iron replacement program, and town officials say other than a few portions slated for replacement next year, maintenance on almost all of Drumheller’s infrastructure is complete.
Town infrastructure director Al Kendrick said the cast iron contractors had a difficult time working around AltaGas’ gas line improvement program this summer, but work is wrapping up aside from some small tasks.
“It’s been a real difficult spot at times to get our work done and their work as well. There’s been some coordination issues,” Kendrick said.
He said workers finished the temporary lines late last week and will be working on some asphalt patching and concrete work and other minor deficiencies as the summer winds down.
Kendrick said the town has another year left for the cast iron replacement program. Short pieces near Central School and the water tower are being recommended for work next year.
The water line crossings into north Drumheller and Midland under the river are nearing their life expectancy he said, and he will be recommending council evaluate the lines for replacement.
“That’s going to be significant dollars. We are going to be doing some evaluation on that and hope to use the same funds that were previously dedicated to the cast iron program,” he said.
Inspection on these lines may be possible via electrical current, with another option to dig up the lines for physical testing. This would require the lines to be shut off and sewage be hauled from north Drumheller to the treatment plant until the line is re-connected.
Kendrick said a consulting firm is in the process of writing a report for ways to test the river crossings.
