On some projects, new water pipes have been put in place and buried in the street, but nothing happens for weeks or even months. Whats going on?
When water mains are replaced in a neighborhood, a section of the water system covering several blocks is cut off and plugged so the mains can be replaced. The entire section must be replaced before any of it can be put back in service. It may take several months to finish the entire section, so all customers in that area will continue to receive their water from the high-lines. Once each section of main is installed, the trench is filled with a mixture of asphalt and gravel called “cold mix.” This temporary paving allows the street to be reopened to traffic while the remainder of the project is completed. Once all the new mains have been replaced, they must be pressure-tested and sanitized by the contractor, then tested for purity by the City’s Water Quality Lab. This process can take from several weeks to a month. Once this is completed, Water Department crews will return to your street to disconnect the high-lines and connect your water meter to the new water main. A new, larger wat
