The process of repairing the pump at one of Ridgeland’s water wells that failed should soon get under way.
The pump was delivered on Aug. 19 and the contractor was scheduled to be on site on Aug. 20 to begin the removal of the well components, said Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGee.
Repairing the pump is a complex operation that requires removing the column pipe and shaft to get the pump, which is located at 650 feet below the ground, he said, and taking out the motor from the top of the well.
“We are still anticipating another three to five weeks to complete the installation and achieve clear health samples (of the drinking water),” he said.
Located at the water well that is off Livingston Road near the intersection of Walter Payton Lane on the west side of the city, the pump failed earlier this month.
McGee signed an executive order on Aug. 1, ordering that all irrigation systems within the Western Water System be turned off to preserve access to fresh drinking water in the city.
“The use of irrigation systems or water hoses could cause a complete failure in the Western Water System until such time as we are able to restore the primary water well on the Western Water System,” he said.
The Ridgeland Board of Aldermen approved on Aug. 6 the emergency purchases of the pump and motor in the amount of $225,050 and $33,795 for a replacement variable frequency drive.
Ridgeland residents served by the Western Water System, which includes many in the Bridgewater neighborhood, must continue to refrain from using their irrigation systems or water hoses.
The ban on the use of irrigation systems applies to these streets: Aaron Lane, Alexander Drive, Alice Lane, Arthur Lane, Bridgemont Circle, Bridgemont Lane, Bridgeview Circle, Bridgewater Bend, Bridgewater Boulevard, Bridgewater Crossing (119 and 121), Casmir Drive, Cherry Laurel Court, Cherry Laurel Lane, Chicot Cove, Cypress Cove, Cypress Lane, Deer Circle, Fox Hollow Place, Green Glades, Green Glades Pass, Green Trace Cove, Green’s Crossing Road, Herons Circle, Herons Cove, Herons Court, Herons Landing, Herons Lane, Hickory
Road, Hidden Creek Circle, Hidden Creek Drive, Hidden Glades, Hidden Oaks Trail, Hidden Oaks Drive and Hidden Oak Cove.
Also, impacted are these streets: High Point Lane, Hill Lane, Hughes Place, Kirkwood Drive, Lake Holleman Place, Ledora Lane, Lubertha Road, Mary Myles, North Agency Lane (818,) North Agency Cove, North Livingston Road, Old Agency Road (897-901), Peatry Pendleton Road, Pine Tree Lane, Powell Road, Red Cedar Cove, Red Leaf Cove, Read Oak Cove, Richardson Road (412-500), Rolling Meadows, Rouser Lane, Rouser Road, Samuel’s Lane, Shallow Cove, Spring Creek Cove, Travis Rodgers Lane, Twin Oak Cove, Walter Payton Lane, White Oak Boulevard, Woodland Springs Drive, Woodmont Cove, Woodmont Hill and Woodmont Way.
After repairs are made and the primary well is back in service, it should operate like new and provide all the water needed for the entire water system as it has done for 14 years, McGee said.
The city has been working on a plan for several years to improve the reliability of the western system.
“We are in the process of spending $41,000,000 to improve the water system,” McGee said. “It will take about three years to complete. The plan includes three new wells and four new water tanks. As a result of the plan, the western water system will gain another 1,500 GPM (Gallons Per Minute) well and a 500,000-gallon water tank. This system will more than double the need of the peak demand when complete.”
