Franklin Street Water Main

The City of Auburn sought to replace a deteriorating circa-1933 30-inch steel water transmission main with a mile-long 30-inch ductile-iron water transmission main. The project included an easterly connection to a 10.25-million-gallon underground reservoir, a westerly connection to the primary transmission main, a path to the city’s Swift Street Filtration Plant, plus nine side-street interconnections.

Erdman Anthony was selected to provide design services, including preparing plan, specification, and bid documents. Our firm also provided construction-phase engineering, full-time resident engineering construction inspection services, and the management of geotechnical testing services.

During the design development phase, our firm evaluated trenchless technologies as well as full replacement. Plans and specifications included push-on and mechanical joint pipe, as well as restrained joint pipe systems. Valve types included gate valves for smaller water mains and butterfly valves for mains 16-inches or larger.

Other features included:

• Hydrants
• New water services to replace old galvanized and lead piping
• Six-inch to 12-inch water main piping to establish nine side-street interconnections

During the construction phase, Erdman Anthony was responsible for conducting the prebid meeting, preparing bid tabulations, checking the contractor’s references, and making the recommendation for award.

Critical to the success of the construction phase and unique to this water transmission main project, a very detailed installation sequence was required to allow for a continuous and uninterrupted water supply and for the replenishment of the Franklin Street Reservoir. Our firm was responsible for the development of an eight-stage installation-sequencing plan that was executed by the contractor successfully.

The city’s water supply is now far more sustainable, operable, and reliable.