After 22 Water Breaks, Lawrence Learns of Installation Woes
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Lawrence officials have learned that 13 miles of pipeline was improperly installed after 22 water main breaks.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the breaks have occurred over a three-week period. Director of Utilities Dave Wagner says repair and replacement costs from the breaks have totaled about $200,000, and costs could grow.
Most of the breaks occurred in piping that was only about 25 years old. The piping was projected to last for 100 years, but was installed without the wrapping or other protection needed to account for the soil conditions. He says the 13 mile span of piping is “probably not going to last that long.”
Commissioner Matthew Herbert says what happened is “a classic example of why you have to do things right the first time.”
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