Board OKs Water Valve Fix

Lindsay Excavation levels water valve access during Circle 7 water line repairs.

The two underground valves will be replaced at the entrance of Circle 2 and Circle 5 to help stop ongoing water leaks. The HOA approved a $13,702.50 project for valves and miscellaneous parts, excavation, debris removal, installation of new valves, and pavement repair.

The valves now are unable to completely shut off, so are suspected of being part of a continuing loss of 2,400-3,000 gallons-per-hour of water. While the loss of water is not significantly expensive, according to HOA President Jason Hart, water conservation is.

The work will require a total shutoff of water to the complex for about six hours.

It is hoped that valve replacements will significantly reduce water loss, or at least help identify where major leaks might be. The HOA recently completed more than $70,000 of water line repairs in Circle 7, and while the work replaced lines and stopped numerous undetected leaks, the complex's total water loss remains high.

The phased approach to repair is hoped to avoid major waterline replacement in the complex that might require assessments. About 13 years ago, a $1,500 HOA assessment funded major water line repairs. However, the work in Circle 7 revealed water lines that had materials from original construction mixed with various intermediate materials, and only a few lines with modern materials. The lines also were not installed according to contemporary requirements, which require sand bedding to prevent movement and buffer rocks and other underground debris from damaging pipes. Circle 7 had frequent leaks and undiscovered ongoing leaks. Urgent repairs were required, which led to the total replacement of service and main lines into Circle 7.