Water main upgrade keeps flowing

HAYDEN LAKE — The Hayden Lake Irrigation District has completed Phase 1 of its water mainline replacement project in Hayden with a $1.7 million Aging Infrastructure Grant from the Idaho Water Resource Board.

Hayden Lake Irrigation District serves about 10,000 customers. Most of its transmission main was 24- and 27-inch reinforced concrete-lined and coated steel cylinder pipe installed in the 1950s and 1960s, according to a press release.

The old pipeline had reached the end of its expected service life. 

“They’re 70 years old, and we’re getting some leaks because of the old pipe,” said Branden Rose, Hayden Lake District administrator.

The main benefits of these projects are improved water service reliability, water quality improvements, increased public safety and improved water supply stability, Rose said in the release.

The project has relocated the existing transmission main into the public right of way. Another project feature was to construct waterlines to improve system looping, water pressure and reliability, Rose said.

In total, the project includes 2.5 miles of new pipeline, which has an estimated project cost of $6.18 million. The project is a primary focus for the Hayden Lake Irrigation District to reduce structure flooding risk and improve system reliability by replacing aging infrastructure, the release said.

Phase 1 featured the installation of 3,300 linear feet of new water pipeline. It is now complete. Rose said. The project was on time and on budget.

Hayden Lake Irrigation District will be requesting bids for Phase 2 of the mainline replacement project in April.

Phase 2 and 3 are planned in 2024 and 2025. Phases 3 and 4 are being developed in partnership with the city of Hayden and the Hayden Area Regional Sewer Board, the release said.

“The project approach provides the highest value to the citizens while reducing impacts during construction,” Rose said.

Transmission pipe replacement in these projects will utilize PVC pipe material.

Pipelines are sized according to the Hayden Lake Irrigation District Water System Facility Plan in 2019 as 18-inch, 12-inch and 10-inch-diameter pipes. Existing services will be reconnected to the new water main location. 

Another major benefit of the project is relocating the main line to the public right of way, according to the release. Property owners have built sheds, fences and planted trees over the top of their large-diameter transmission main. 

The location of the old main line poses growing operation and maintenance concerns due to limited access, infrastructure approaching the service life and flood risks.

“If a break were to occur, it could cause significant damage to structures due to the current location of the large diameter and location of the main line,” Rose said.

The existing concrete and steel mortar-lined pipe will be abandoned in place.