The head of Lexington’s Division of Water Quality said upcoming sanitary sewer work could eat away at some previous savings within the federally-ordered sewer improvement program.
Charlie Martin delivered an update this week to the council’s Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee. “Some of the line work that we’re doing I’m worried about how we’re going to start eating into that $95 million savings because it’s hard to save money on pipes and manholes. We were able to save money on pump stations and storage tanks,” said Martin.
Significant sanitary sewer work in the Chevy Chase-University of Kentucky area of Lexington will likely not begin for a few months. Martin told committee members they are working on a project plan that includes adjusting some city traffic flow.
“I think we’re still on a holding pattern on that because once we go over the edge on this there will be no turning back. We’ve developed a traffic control plan. I’ve kind of got a draft communications plan that I want to do to the public, but until some of these other design issues get taken care of, I don’t see it bidding in the next 60 days,” explained Martin.
Martin told council members there are staffing challenges. He said only four of eight engineer positions in his division are filled currently. The water quality division director says the shortage in manpower creates a tough situation, particularly as it relates to storm water drainage projects. The entire $600 million dollar sanitary sewer program is to be completed by December 2026.
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