Water Main Improvements

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Project Map

Project Overview

The water main replacement project includes the replacement of water main with 8” and 12” ductile iron water main. The locations include South School Street, Wa Pella Avenue, Tower Lane, Willow Lane, Tamarack Drive, Catalpa Lane, Cottonwood Lane, Redwood Drive. The project includes the replacement of over 15,000 linear feet of aging water main along with the replacement of associated Fire Hydrants, main line valves and service line connections.

Lead Service Lines

As part of the ongoing water main improvement project, Public Works staff will be working ahead of the contractor, to hydro excavate b-boxes and verify the current inventory of water service line materials. Once the service line material is identified the sidewalk will be marked with an “L” for lead or a “C” for copper.

If the service line is identified as lead the Village staff will contact the homeowner—either in person or by phone—to discuss replacement options. The Village will replace the entire lead service line from the water main to the water meter located inside the home. This will be performed by the Village's contractor at no expense to the homeowner. The homeowner will have the choice to opt out of the service line replacement. Should the homeowner opt out of the replacement a waiver must be signed.

The lead service line will be replaced with a copper water service line. The new copper service line will be directionally bored into the home. To do this, a small receiving pit will be dug inside the home near the water meter—typically in an unfinished area of the basement where the water line enters the foundation. After the new line is connected, the pit will be backfilled with stone and capped with concrete. There will be no need to dig up your front lawn—only the parkway area near the new b-box will be disturbed. A licensed plumber will be on site during the installation process.

Construction Schedule

Project Updates

Week of August 3

Willow Lane (East of Busse Road)

Installation of the new water main has been completed and has successfully passed both pressure testing and water quality sampling.
The contractor is currently transferring residential service laterals from the existing water main to the newly installed water main.
During the week of August 3, 2026, the contractor will connect the new water main to the existing water mains at all north-south intersecting streets.
All underground utility work is anticipated to be substantially complete by August 10, 2026.

Willow Lane (West of Busse Road)

Installation of the new water main is scheduled to begin on August 3, 2026.
The contractor will begin by constructing the connection at the intersection of Busse Road and Willow Lane. Following completion of this connection, trenching and installation of the new water main will proceed west along Willow Lane.

Week of May 18:

Cottonwood / Redwood Project Update

The water main on Redwood successfully passed two consecutive days of water samples
The contractor is currently working on transferring water services to the new water main on Redwood Dr.
The contractor has two connections to complete. One is at Cottonwood and Redwood and the other is at Redwood and Dempster
All water main construction activities are anticipated to be completed by May 22, 2026. This includes restoration of disturbed parkway areas and trench compaction.

Wa Pella Ave. Project Update

The contractor has been coordinating with residents with full lead service line replacements. During construction, any damage to drywall or carpet surrounding the existing water main is the homeowner’s responsibility to repair.
The full replacements are to begin the week of May 18, 2026.
There are 28 lead service lines scheduled for replacement, and the work is estimated to take approximately 16 working days to complete.

School Street

Project layout to begin May 25, 2026
Additional notifications will be distributed to residents a week prior to any construction

Week of May 11:

Wa Pella Ave. Project Update

Beginning Monday, May 11, 2026, the contractor will start full lead service line replacements.
The contractor and the Village’s engineering inspector with IMEG Corp. will coordinate directly with residents to schedule this work, as access to the interior of homes will be required.
There are 28 lead service lines scheduled for replacement, and the work is estimated to take approximately 16 working days to complete.

Cottonwood / Redwood Project Update

The water main on Redwood successfully passed the pressure test.
The Redwood water main was disinfected on Friday, May 8, 2026. Water samples will be collected on Monday and Tuesday during the week of May 11, 2026.
The contractor continues working on service line transfers along Cottonwood Lane. Once completed they will move to Redwood Dr.
During the week of May 11, 2026, the contractor will also complete final water main connections at the intersecting streets.
All water main construction activities are anticipated to be completed by May 22, 2026. This includes restoration of disturbed parkway areas and trench compaction.

Week of May 4:

Wa Pella Ave Project Update

During the week of May 4, 2026, work will begin on transferring the copper water services on the west (long) side of the street.
Once all existing copper services have been transferred, the contractor will begin full replacement of the identified lead service lines across all four blocks.
The contractor anticipates completing all service transfers and restoring parkway excavations with black dirt by May 15, 2026.

Cottonwood / Redwood Project Update

The water main installation on Cottonwood is complete and has successfully passed the pressure test, disinfection, and Sampling.
The contractor will complete installing the water main on Redwood Dr. on Saturday May 2, 2026.
The contractor will not be on site on Monday May 4, 2026.
Water service transfers on Cottonwood will begin on Tuesday May 5, 2026.
They will also be performing the pressure test for the water main on Redwood Drive on Tuesday May 5, 2026. After a successful pressure test, disinfection will be scheduled followed by two consecutive days of water samples.

Week of April 6:

Wa Pella Avenue

The newly installed water main from Central Rd to Evergreen Ave has successfully passed the required pressure testing.
During the week of April 6, 2026, this section will undergo disinfection, and water samples will be collected over two consecutive days.
Once both samples receive approval, the contractor will begin transferring residential water services to the new main along these two blocks.
During these service transfers, residents can expect a temporary water disruption of approximately 20–30 minutes.
Concurrently, the crew will continue installing water main along the 300 block of Wa Pella. All installation work is anticipated to be completed by Friday, April 10, 2026.
Pressure testing, disinfection, and sampling will then proceed for the section between Evergreen Ave and Lincoln St.

Tower Lane

All water main installation has been completed.
The first round of water samples was collected on Thursday, April 2, 2026, with the second round of water samples being collected on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Once the samples are approved, the contractor will begin transferring residential water services to the new water main.
During these service transfers, residents can expect a temporary water disruption of approximately 20–30 minutes.
The contractor anticipates completing all service transfers by the end of the day on Friday, April 10, 2026.

Residential information bulletins were distributed to residents on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, including an updated schedule.

Cottonwood Lane & Redwood Drive

Residential information bulletins were distributed to residents on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, including an updated schedule.
The contractor is scheduled to begin project layout on Monday, April 6, 2026, which will include utility locates and equipment mobilization.
Construction activities are anticipated to begin on Thursday, April 9, 2026, starting with excavation and making the necessary connection.

Week of March 30:

Wa Pella Avenue

During the week of March 30, 2026, the contractor will continue water main and fire hydrant installation along Wa Pella Avenue.
Installation is progressing at an average rate of approximately 280–320 linear feet per day.
Pressure testing of the newly installed water main on the 0 block of Wa Pella Avenue is scheduled for this week.
Following successful pressure testing, the new water main will be disinfected and sampled. Once approved, the contractor will begin transferring water service lines to the new main.

Tower Lane

Installation of the new water main, valves, and fire hydrants on Tower Lane is expected to be completed by the end of the day on Monday, March 30, 2026.
The contractor will then proceed with pressure testing, disinfection, and water quality sampling of the new system.
Please note that there will be minimal visible activity during testing, disinfection, and sampling periods.
After two consecutive days of passing water quality samples, the contractor will begin transferring water services to the new water main.

03/04/2026:
Village Board awarded contract for construction to DiMeo Brothers, Inc.

Documents

FAQs

WHAT KIND OF WORK WILL BE DONE?

In general, the process of installing the new water main will include: Saw Cutting of road Open cut trenching of the road Installation of new water main Pressure testing and chlorination of the new water main Reinstatement of water services. Pavement Restoration

WILL SERVICES TO MY PROPERTY BE AFFECTED?

There will be no changes in regular services such as garbage pick-up, mail delivery, or emergency services from the Police and Fire Departments. There may be times during the day when construction activities temporarily block access to your driveway as the new water main is installed. We will try to make these interruptions as short as possible. If new curb or sidewalk is to be installed in front of your property, access to your driveway will be interrupted for a more extended period. In that case, you will receive more specific information about the schedule for this work and how it affects your driveway access within the next few weeks. During that time the Police Department will be instructed to relax the restrictions on overnight street parking at these locations while driveways are not accessible. If you have special needs due to a disability, please contact the Public Works Department. Please use caution when driving through the construction zone.

HOW WILL MY WATER SERVICE BE AFFECTED?

There will be no extended disruption in your water service. However, there will be a short disruption (Usually less than 20 minutes) when your water service will be transferred to the new water main. Notification will be sent to you prior to your service transfer.

Contacts