West Side Water Main

Washington Township, Michigan

Giffels Webster is providing design and construction administration services for all segments of Washington Township’s west side water main project. This project is unique because most of the water main was not able to be constructed in the public right-of-way, and private easements were required. This resulted in time consuming negotiations with affected private property owners about connection requirements as well as removals/replacements of existing permanent fixtures/landscaping in their front yards to facilitate granting of the easements and construction of the water main.

Due to rapid expansion, new commercial and residential development has increased demand in portions of the Township that were not within the limits of the existing water distribution system. The Township has undergone an extensive water capital improvement plan to serve the western quadrant of the Township. These projects have been phased to allow them to be constructed under a predetermined budget and sequentially to allow for looped connections. By extending this water main, it provides extensive fire protection and safe drinking water to existing and future residents and businesses in the area.

The Township started expanding along the western portion of the Township in 2018. The first phases were between 0.75 and 1.5 miles in length of 16” ductile iron water main. After further evaluation and life cycle cost analysis, the material switched to PVC to allow for more main to be installed each year. As of late 2021, the Township has approximately 5 miles of water main ready to be installed that will complete the northern portion, as well as an additional 5 miles to loop the western portion. The entire scope of the project is approximately 13.5 miles of water main.