Repairs to the pump on one of Ridgeland’s broken water wells are expected to begin soon.
The pump was delivered Aug. 19 and the contractor was scheduled to be on site Aug. 20 to begin removing the well components, Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGee said.
Repairing the pump is a complex operation that requires removing the riser and shaft to access the pump, which is 200 metres underground, and removing the motor from the top of the well, he said.
“We expect it will take another three to five weeks to complete the installation and obtain clear, safe samples (of the drinking water),” he said.
The pump at the water well off Livingston Road near the intersection with Walter Payton Lane on the west side of town failed earlier this month.
McGee signed an executive order on August 1 ordering the shutdown of all Western Water System irrigation systems to ensure the city’s supply of fresh drinking water.
“The use of irrigation systems or water hoses could result in a complete failure of the Western Water System until we are able to restore the Western Water System’s main water well,” he said.
On August 6, the Ridgeland City Council approved the emergency purchase of the pump and motor valued at $225,050, as well as $33,795 for a replacement variable frequency drive.
Ridgeland residents served by the Western Water System, including many from the Bridgewater neighborhood, will continue to be unable to use their irrigation systems or water hoses.
The ban on the use of irrigation systems applies to these streets: Aaron Lane, Alexander Drive, Alice Lane, Arthur Lane, Bridgemont Circle, Bridgemont Lane, Bridgeview Circle, Bridgewater Bend, Bridgewater Boulevard, Bridgewater Crossing (119 and 121), Casmir Drive, Cherry Laurel Court, Cherry Laurel Lane, Chicot Cove, Cypress Cove, Cypress Lane, Deer Circle, Fox Hollow Place, Green Glades, Green Glades Pass, Green Trace Cove, Green’s Crossing Road, Herons Circle, Herons Cove, Herons Court, Herons Landing, Herons Lane, Hickory
Road, Hidden Creek Circle, Hidden Creek Drive, Hidden Glades, Hidden Oaks Trail, Hidden Oaks Drive and Hidden Oak Cove.
Also affected are: High Point Lane, Hill Lane, Hughes Place, Kirkwood Drive, Lake Holleman Place, Ledora Lane, Lubertha Road, Mary Myles, North Agency Lane (818,) North Agency Cove, North Livingston Road, Old Agency Road (897-901), Peatry Pendleton Road, Pine Tree Lane, Powell Road, Red Cedar Cove, Red Leaf Cove, Read Oak Cove, Richardson Road (412-500), Rolling Meadows, Rouser Lane, Rouser Road, Samuel’s Lane, Shallow Cove, Spring Creek Cove, Travis Rodgers Lane, Twin Oak Cove, Walter Payton Lane, White Oak Boulevard, Woodland Springs Drive, Woodmont Cove, Woodmont Hill and Woodmont Way.
Once repairs are completed and the main well is put back into service, it should function like new and provide the entire water system with the water it needs, as it has for 14 years, McGee said.
The city has been working on a plan to improve the reliability of the western system for several years.
“We are about to spend $41,000,000 on water system improvements,” McGee said. “Completion will take approximately three years. The plan calls for three new wells and four new water tanks. As a result of the plan, the western water system will receive an additional 1,500 GPM (gallons per minute) well and a 500,000 gallon water tank. This system will more than double the peak demand when completed.”
