Tag Archives: water main

Construction, Infrastructure Improvements

Pipe Enhancements in North Charlotte, Part of Larger Charlotte Water Program

Lakeview Road is open! Charlotte Water (CLTWater) recently removed the closure and traffic measures along Statesville Road near Lakeview Road, as crews worked on a large water main opening along the roadway.

The work, related to the Water Transmission Mains Improvement & Repairs (WTMIR) Program, began Monday, July 24, and lasted a couple weeks. While traffic measures like detours and lane closures are sometimes frustrating, they are necessary for the safety of work crews and the public. In this case, the water main work happened parallel to other construction activities in the area. Thus, protecting people as well as the project was a priority.

Construction foreman removing cracked pieces of the pipe’s outer layer to assess the condition of the inner steel pipe.

Planning for any construction project while continuing to maintain access for nearby businesses, residents and motorists, can be complicated. It also takes a team effort. Before the project work begins, CLTWater collaborates closely with several different groups, such as state and city partners like NCDOT, CDOT, and other construction projects, to compare traffic plans and discuss ways to mitigate potential impacts as best as possible. This is all part of the important work CLTWater continues to do daily to provide clean, safe and reliable water across the Charlotte region.

Crew members are guiding the equipment operator on where to dump stone into the trench. While fixing the pipe, stone is added in the trench to combat the wet conditions.
 

Protecting and strengthening the CLTWater system is an important part of the daily work crews do. In the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, Charlotte Water designated millions of dollars towards the systemwide repairs and improvements, designed to update some of the oldest infrastructure throughout the system.

View of the existing pipe that is damaged. The wires pictured around the pipe are called “reinforcing steel wires.” They help keep the inner steel pipe from failing when there is pressure on the line. When the outside layer of mortar cracks over time, it allows the reinforcing steel wires to be exposed to the elements. After some time, the wires will begin to rust and break. This leaves the inner pipe without reinforcement and can eventually cause a line break.

In 2015, CLTWater completed a Water Transmission Mains Assessment, which evaluated some high-risk pipe composition across the water system that could need replacement. Transmission mains are the highways of water distribution; they are large pipes that convey water from pump stations or treatment plants to the neighbor distribution water lines. Since 2019, additional assessments identified various improvements needed to optimize the function and resiliency of the existing water transmission system.

The WTMIR Program is a combination of various replacement and installation projects across the water system, grouped under an umbrella of work designed to improve the water system. The Program is broken down into Zone Areas throughout the CLTWater service area. Each Zone Area will consist of various design and construction projects, which may or may not occur simultaneously.

When a pipe is damaged, workers will cut out the bad section and replace it with a stronger, more durable, pipe. The pipe pictured here is called Ductile Iron Pipe (or DIP). This is the finished replacement.  

The importance of the WTMIR Program is to ensure water continues to flow to customers and reduces future emergency repairs that lead to unplanned water outages and traffic disruption.

Work has already been completed in several areas along Old Statesville Road, with upcoming work along Peachtree Rd, Oakdale Rd and other areas expected later this year.

For more information, visit https://www.charlottenc.gov/Growth-and-Development/Projects/Water-Transmission-Mains-Improvement-and-Repairs-Program.

News, What's Going On?

CLTWater Delivers Water Pressure During Massive Fire In SouthPark

On May 18th, Charlotte experienced one of the largest fires in the city’s history. Charlotte Water (CLTWater) responded with

  • Managers on location to assist with any water supply needs,
  • Operators pumped more water to the area,
  • Crews were on hand to assist if there were any water supply challenges.
  • Crews surveyed the area looking for and responding to water main breaks.
    • Water main breaks are likely after a massive flow of water is used for fighting fires.

Thank you to all that assisted in the response to ensure there was enough water supply and pressure for the Charlotte Fire Department (CFD) response.


“The partnership with the Charlotte Fire Department started more than 100 years ago and it is a weekly and sometimes daily coordination that enables us to assist in this crucial public safety role,”,” said Angela Charles, Director of Charlotte Water. “The investment in our water infrastructure has been instrumental in maintaining water supply and water pressure to serve our growing community and public safety needs.”

Charlotte Water Director Angela Charles coordinating with the Charlotte Fire Department during the fire.
Construction, Repairs and Spills

Remount Repair Updates

February 2022

Charlotte Water Completes Remount Water Main Pipe Break Repair, New Pipe Placed into Service

The newly installed pipe was treated and water quality tests were performed before pipe activation.

(Charlotte, N.C.)  On Monday, February 14, Charlotte Water crews reactivated the section of 36-inch ductile iron pipe newly installed under Irwin Creek near Remount Road bridge, putting the new water main pipe into service. Crews have been working since November 2021 to repair, remove and replace the previous pipe damaged in a break in October 2021.

During the extensive repair, crews replaced more than 250 feet of pipe. Charlotte Water collaborated closely with County and City partners to protect the integrity of the bridge, the quality of the creek, and the safety of the crews working in the complex location. With the pipe repair completed, Charlotte Water crews will continue site clean-up and restoration for the next few weeks. Charlotte Water will continue to evaluate 21,000 feet of the remaining 36-inch pipe for any possible defects. 

“Every day, Charlotte Water routinely repairs and maintains water and sewer pipes across our entire service area,”  says Charlotte Water Director Angela Charles. “It’s important that we are doing all that we can to keep customers’ trust in our ability to provide clean, safe and reliable water service to the Charlotte region.”

In 2021, Charlotte Water installed or rehabilitated more than 66,000 feet of pipe across the water system and invested $395.4 million into capital project improvements.

To stay up to date on the most recent events and announcements, follow Charlotte Water on Twitter @CLTWater. For more information on other pipe replacement and restoration projects, visit us at CharlotteWater.org. 

Updates November 2021

Charlotte Water crews have been removing and replacing the 36-inch water main pipe that was damaged during the Remount water main break on October 18. While work is expected to continue for the next few weeks, here are a few things you should know about this break, and overall pipe leaks and repair.

Fast Facts:

WHAT is the cause of the Remount Water main break?
There are several factors that can cause a pipe to break, including change in temperature, age and external damage. In this case, because it is underground and several feet beneath a creek, it’s hard to determine the exact cause of this pipe break.

WHEN will the repair be completed?
Crews have removed the broken pipe and are replacing it with the new ductile iron pipe. Work is expected to take a few weeks, primarily due to the location, as crews carefully work in the creek and around the bridge.

WHY am I seeing other leaks?
Charlotte Water crews regularly respond to a variety of leaks that are categorized as minor, priority or emergency. We then work quickly to resolve the issue and restore service to customers. Most repairs are on service lines (between the water main under the street and the customer’s water meter). Did you know that under many of our major roads there are multiple water pipes serving different areas of the county?

WHO should I call if I see a leak?
If you see or suspect a leak, call 3-1-1 or 704-336-7600 so that Charlotte Water can quickly dispatch a crew to the location.

WHERE can I go to learn more about Charlotte Water pipe repair and rehabilitation?
Charlotte Water staff are working 24/7 to maintain more than 8,000 miles of water and wastewater pipes. To learn more about a water and sewer improvement project near you, visit the Projects page at charlottewater.org.

Construction, Repairs and Spills

1600 W. Morehead St. Water Main Break

At approximately 4:30 p.m. Sunday, June 23 a water main break near the intersection of W. Morehead St. and Freedom Dr. was reported to 911. Charlotte Fire Department and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department responded and quickly alerted Charlotte Water to the situation.

Intersection of Freedom Drive and W. Morehead Street
Intersection of Freedom Drive and W. Morehead Street

Pavement upheaval, areas of low pressure and temporary localized flooding were caused by the break of a 20″ water main. The cause of the break is unknown at this time. A variety of factors can contribute to water main failure including nearby construction, weather and changes in pressure.

As Charlotte Water crews arrived on the site of the break, staff isolated the break by operating valves in the area. Within about an hour of arriving on the scene, pressure was restored throughout the community. At this time, no customers are without water service.

Repair efforts are underway using Charlotte Water staff and an emergency contractor. Charlotte Water estimates the repair and road reconstruction to take several days. Residents are asked to avoid the area if possible. Detours will be in place during the repair and road reconstruction.

DetourMap
Traffic will not be allowed outbound on Freedom Drive

As repairs are made, customers in the immediate area may experience low pressure or discolored water. Please contact 311 to report low pressure or outages. Customers are asked to flush cold water taps for 15 minutes if they experience discolored water. If discolored water persists, please contact 311. Further updates will be provided.