Paving work on East Sixth Street should be complete this week. Earlier this year, city officials replaced the water main from Plum to Cherry streets. The improvements will help prevent future breaks common with aging cast iron water mains. This project is part of an ongoing effort to replace cast iron mains throughout the city in an effort to provide uninterrupted water service to customers. Several years ago the city embarked on the project because it had experienced numerous breaks involving cast iron water mains. Today, only about 8.6 miles, or 5% of the city water infrastructure, is cast iron still. Officials expect the new water mains being installed today will have a lifespan of 75 to 100 years.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Kevin Behrens)