T. Falls projects advance

The wastewater project and improvements to the water system in Thompson Falls are progressing, Mayor Mark Sheets said this week. "The sewer project is on time and within budgets and there have been no real concerns," Sheets said at Monday's City Council meeting.

Residents have already seen activity on Preston Avenue above the railroad tracks as the construction phase of a project to expand the city’s sewer system to residences and businesses on the hill in Thompson Falls.

This week, work began to install a new forced main to the wastewater treatment site. Sheets said a jack and bore will be used to install the line under the highway and the railroad tracks on the west end of town across from the rural fire station. The first phase of the project also included upgrades to the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Sheets said that foundation work is progressing on the headworks, disinfection, blower and polishing reactor buildings.

Sheets said the streets in the first two phases of the project (from the west end of Thompson Falls to Grove Street) probably won't be refinished until next year. Razz Construction of Post Falls, Idaho, the contractor hired for the city's water project, will follow behind the sewer project and install new water lines.

Installation of the forced main and gravity main lines for the city sewer will continue to be installed along Preston Avenue. The collector main for Wood Street will be just about finished, Sheets said, then will begin on Park Street and continuing east. He said Monday that the service lines will be placed to property boundaries, but will be connected to homes at a later date.

The project contractor will take videos of work before and after, as well as of service lines before and after. The project engineer also will use a drove to document work. “I would advise that property owners take their own pictures of the before and after when service lines are to be put in,” Sheets said. “This will help if any disputes occur. If you have any questions of where your service line will be there is a map at City Hall that will give you an idea of where that will happen.

Sheets noted that traffic will be disrupted at times during the sewer and water construction and said patience would be appreciated.

At Monday's council meeting, Sheets added that the funding plan for phases 3 and 4 of the wastewater project has been submitted, but they are waiting to see what happens in the legislative session before the next step on those phases of the project.

The city is also preparing for the summer watering season, and the mayor said the city may have to impose watering restrictions. He said the pump controls have been fixed, but lower flows from the Ashley Creek springs and additional water services added in the city will prompt more reliance on the pumps. “The situation will be monitored and hopefully we get periodic rains that will keep from having to place watering restrictions,” Sheets stated. “After many complaints last summer about the lack of watering of the parks, this year we will try to keep the parks green. Placing some restrictions will help this if needed.”

To help with the water flows, Sheets said the city engineer has created a water model and the city is looking at the possibility of trying to get another well and more storage. Though the water main replacement projects in the last several years have helped with supply for the city, a new source and storage is needed, Sheets added.

For more information on any of the city projects, go to http://www.cityofthompsonfalls.com. Residents can also set up a meeting with the mayor by calling City Hall at 827-3557.