Aberdeen officials are preparing for the growth anticipated with Aberdeen Proving Ground?s base realignment by considering replacing dated and failing water lines in the Swan Meadows community.
The transite pipe used for the water lines in the neighborhood in the eastern part of the city is failing at an alarming rate, said Aberdeen Mayor S. Fred Simmons.
Additionally, the water tower in the area of Swan Meadows can only be filled at 25 percent, said Simmons, otherwise the pressure would put too much of a strain on the system.
The Swan Meadows project could begin in a year, said Matt Lapinsky, Aberdeen?s public works director.
He said he could not provide an estimate for the project.
Swan Meadows was built in the 1940s for military personnel stationed at APG. The transite pipe used for water and sewer lines is made with asbestos and cement, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site.
“During those days, there was no metal because of the war,” Simmons said.
The asbestos in the transite pipe does not pose a threat to the community because asbestos needs to be inhaled to be harmful, Lapinsky said.
Only through a replacement of the infrastructure will Aberdeen meet increased demands from new development, Simmons said.
Given the cost associated with paying Aberdeen employees overtime to repair water main breaks, the loss of the treated water and water service to residents, it only makes sense for the city to look at replacing the system, Councilman Mike Hiob said.
The city can use the water and sewer hookup fee of $14,400 per unit in new developments for the overhaul, he said.
