Water System Project Guide

General Information

The Water System is responsible for more than 1,300 miles of water pipelines throughout Grand Rapids. These water pipelines, also called water mains, deliver high quality drinking water to your tap. 

We replace or rehabilitate aging and vulnerable water mains each year. Below you will find answers to most questions that arise during these projects 

Construction activities may occur Monday through Saturday, between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., in accordance with City ordinance. However, most work is anticipated to take place Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Construction progress may be affected by weather conditions, material availability, scheduling conflicts, and unforeseen emergencies. 

We make sure local and emergency access is maintained.

For most rehabilitation projects, traffic will continue in both directions. For some projects we maintain traffic flow by limiting left turns. Sometimes we limit the road to one-way traffic only. Only rarely do we close a road.  

There's no parking within the project area from 7 AM to 7 PM. This ensures that contractors complete projects quickly. The contractor will place no parking signs by the curb before construction begins. We notify residents about these parking restrictions 1 to 2 days beforehand.

Contractors may replace some drive approaches and sidewalks. This work takes about 5 - 7 days. If this affects your driveway, you may not have access to it during that time. The contractor will coordinate with you in advance.

The contractor will work with affected businesses. They may replace half of the driveway approach at a time to maintain driveway access.

You may not have access to your driveway for 30 minutes to two hours while the contractor works in front of it or on it. 

Recycling and trash collection isn't affected by construction projects. Make sure to put your bins in their normal spots the night before collection day. We may miss your bins if you don't put them out the night before. If we can't access the street due to the construction, the contractor will move the bins to where they can be emptied and then return the bins to their spots. 

Mail delivery also continues as normal.

If water needs to be shutdown, the City or one of its contractor will let you know in advance. Typically there'll only be three water shutdowns:

  • Twice when the new main is placed in service. Each of these shutdowns will last between 4 to 8 hours
  • Once when connecting individual water services for each property to the new main. This will last between 2 to 4 hours

After a water shutdown and the water system is turned back on, the water pressure may dislodge calcified deposits. You may want to run faucets in all your sinks to clear the lines. Are your faucets running slowly? Check the screens and clean off any debris. 

There are things you can do to limit the effects of construction on your business. We work with contractors to do our best to resolve any issues that may come up. Completing a construction project efficiently is in everyone's best interest. Keep in mind that after construction is done, the roads surrounding your business are likely to be construction free for years. 

Types of Projects

Cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) is a trenchless rehabilitation method used to repair damaged underground pipes without digging trenches. It involves inserting a flexible, resin-saturated fabric liner into the old pipe, which is then inflated and cured (hardened) to create a brand-new, jointless, and durable pipe inside the old one. Compared to traditional open-cut construction methods, CIPP can reduce project timelines by as much as 75 percent, including restoration activities. Once completed, the rehabilitated water main is expected to last approximately 80 years.

CIPP Before and After

This is the general process followed:

Step 1: Access Pit Excavation
The contractor begins by excavating access pits to the water main at the valve, tee, cross, and hydrant locations. For safety, excavation boxes or shoring systems are installed in the pits, and the work areas are secured with barricades.

Step 2: Temporary Water System Installation
An above-ground temporary water system is installed, including temporary water mains and service lines to individual properties. The temporary system is disinfected, chlorinated, and tested before customers are transitioned from the existing water main.

Step 3: Water Meter Removal
The contractor schedules appointments with residents and property owners to temporarily remove water meters for the duration of the project. During this period, water and sewer usage will be estimated and billed based on each property's annual average consumption.

Step 4: Transition to Temporary Service
Residents are connected to the temporary water system, allowing the existing water main to be taken out of service for rehabilitation.

Step 5: Cleaning and Inspection
The contractor accesses the out-of-service water main through the excavation pits. The pipe is cleaned using a metal chain reamer and inspected with closed-circuit television (CCTV) equipment to identify service locations. Specialized robotic equipment is then used to install plugs at service connections.

Step 6: Pipe Lining Installation
After cleaning and inspection are complete, a new liner is inserted into the existing water main. Epoxy resin is injected, and hot water is circulated to cure the liner, creating a new structural pipe within the existing pipe.

Step 7: Reconnection of the Water Main
The rehabilitated water main is reconnected at access pit locations by installing new valves, tees, crosses, and short sections of water main. Specialized robotic equipment is used to reopen and reconnect water services.

Step 8: Testing and Disinfection
The City fills the rehabilitated water main and performs hydrostatic pressure testing. The pipe is then disinfected, flushed, and tested to ensure it meets water quality standards.

Step 9: Meter Reinstallation and Service Restoration
The contractor or City contacts residents and property owners to reinstall water meters. Customers are then transitioned from the temporary water system back to the rehabilitated water main.

Step 10: Restoration and Project Completion
Once service has been restored, the contractor removes the temporary water system and completes right-of-way restoration, including paving access pit locations, to finish the project.

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