OCTOBER 24, 2023:
The Pierre City Commission has approved a change to the contract for adding a loop in the water main that serves the eastern edge of Pierre.
City Engineer Nick Waters says more asphalt is needed for the walking path.
Waters says most of the town’s water main can be back fed, but currently that’s not the case with the line that serves the National Guard Armory, the Hughes County Jail, the South Dakota Women’s Prison and other customers. He says this project will eliminate the dead-end lines.
As part of the $3-million project, an old water main line on the north side of the highway will also be replaced.
MAY 3, 2023:
The Pierre City Commission has awarded a $3-million contract to build a loop in the water main that serves the eastern edge of Pierre.
While most of the town’s water main can be back fed, that’s not the case with the line that serves the National Guard Armory, the Hughes County Jail, the South Dakota Women’s Prison and other customers.
The contractor (Morris, Inc. of Fort Pierre) will install a pipe under Highway 34 and the RCPE railroad tracks to connect water mains that already exist on both the north and south side of the highway. This will improve reliability to customers on the eastern side of Pierre by eliminating the dead-end lines. As part of the project, some aged water main on the north side of the highway will be replaced.
Work is expected to begin late this year (2023) and be complete next summer.
MARCH 29, 2023:
Pierre has a plan to build a loop in the water main that serves the eastern edge of the community; tonight, the City Commission gave approval to bid that project.
According to City Utilities Director Brad Palmer, most of the city’s water main can be back fed. However, that’s not the case with the line that serves the state Women’s Prison, National Guard Armory, and other customers on the far eastern side of the city.
“The goal is to improve water service reliability by removing the dead-end line,” said Palmer. “Currently, if we need to do repair work, we have to take the prison and armory out of service until the work is complete. With a loop in place, it will help keep those services operational during repair work.”
The project includes installing a pipe under Highway 34 and the RCPE railroad tracks to connect water mains that already exist on both the north and south side of the highway.
Proposals are due back to the City on or before April 20, 2023.
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FEBRUARY 2, 2023:
A plan to improve water service reliability in eastern Pierre has received a boost from the Central Plains Water Development District.
The District, part of the statewide rural water association, has granted the town just shy of $50-thousand ($49,985) to use toward engineering costs to design a water main loop along Highway 34.
Most of Pierre’s water main can be back fed, but that’s not the case with the line that serves the state Women’s Prison, National Guard Armory and other customers on the east side of Pierre. Because it’s a dead-end line, any repair work requires the city to take the Prison and Armory out of service until work is completed. The project will connect water mains that already exist on the north and south side of Highway 34, creating a loop so service can remain active while repairs are done.
The Central Plains Water Development District provides technical support and financial assistance for water and waste water projects in Hughes, Hyde, Sully, Faulk and Potter counties. The District is a political subdivision authorized by state law.
District Manager Lynnette Eckert encourages counties and communities to reach out to the district for assistance. She says part of their mission is to keep communities viable and help them grow by providing support for water quality projects as their resources allow.
The Central Plains Water Development District currently has five board members and a manager. Membership includes Greg Lorenz, Onida; Ron Crain, Blunt; Eric Monson, Pierre; Steve Hinker, Pierre; and Russell Anderson, Gettysburg. The group meets at least four times a year to review and approve grant requests.
Pierre Mayor Steve Harding accepts a check from Central Plains Water Development District Manager Lynnette Eckert to help fund a water main project in eastern Pierre.
Courtesy photo.
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