5 Year Sanitary Sewer and Watermain Plan

Project Descriptions

South Walker Watermain Phase II: Wilson – Riverbend to Burton

We are prepared to move forward with the design of South Walker Watermain Phase II. This second phase is required by the MDEQ although they have given us a five year window to complete. We are in year two of that window. We propose to complete the design in Spring 2010 and move forward with construction in 2011. This watermain is critical to the health of the south Walker water system and to our ability to redevelop the old Fenske landfill.

This tank is required to boost pressures in the north Walker area. A booster pump was installed in the 1990’s on Bristol Avenue in anticipation of the new tank. The booster is currently providing the temporary increase in pressure required for service in the area. The installation of the tank will be needed as development increases the need for fire flow protection north of I-96. The tank will also require the installation of several pressure reducing valves throughout the system. We are currently obtaining a proportionate share of funding from all new developments between Four Mile Road and I-96 to ease the burden of the tank on the system. The Orchard Park development was to be responsible for a contribution of $635,000 to account for their proposed developments impact. It is our intention to apply all developer funding against system debt to reduce the impact on Walker users.

The development within this area has slowed but it is our understanding that fire flows are still a concern to the Grand Rapids Water Department and our Walker Fire Department. Even without concurrent development, it seems wise to plan ahead for the construction of this system enhancement. Grand Rapids has planned accordingly and completed the final design drawings in preparation of our pending request to construct the improvement.

We do have some concerns regarding the burden of increasing system costs and have requested that this construction be pushed back to 2013 to help spread the load of any increases in water system cost among Walker users. Design for this project was completed in 2009.

When the Four Mile Road tank is constructed it will also be necessary to "close the loop" from Fruitridge Avenue east to Walker Avenue. This will include approximately 14,000’ of 16" watermain. In coordination with the above noted water tank project, we anticipate design within 2012 and construction in 2013 to bring water and connectivity to the tank.

The Fenske site in south Walker is being redeveloped as the Millennium Commerce Park. This industrial park is planned to have watermain and has limited soils available for wastewater collection. As a result, the City of Walker has been working closely with the developer to explore the creation of a south Walker sanitary sewer district. The anticipated cost, beyond that required of the developer, is $400,000. We still have quite a few issues to work through with this project but it seems important to allow for a placeholder in our system financing budget to allow for this project to take place if and when all the details are coordinated to allow for a successful project.

The City will continue to promote over sizing of utilities when appropriate and use system funds to finance the increased cost. Requests for oversizing have dropped significantly over the last 5 years. Grand Rapids staff has also been extremely helpful in working with Walker as development trends fluctuate. We believe that setting aside $250,000 should be sufficient.