Over the last five years, from January through July, there has been a fluctuation in the number of water main breaks in Emporia:
- 2023: 27 breaks
- 2022: 27 breaks
- 2021: 37 breaks
- 2020: 17 breaks
- 2019: 28 breaks
These statistics reveal that there was a significant spike in water main breaks in 2021, with 37 incidents, but it has since stabilized in 2022 and 2023 at 27 breaks. This data highlights the importance of ongoing maintenance and infrastructure improvements to ensure a reliable water supply.
It is important to note that City staff has implemented a communication strategy to keep the community informed about utility and street updates over the last year. Real-time alerts through MyAlerts and posting on social media platforms have proven to be an effective way to ensure residents are aware of important developments. It's also noteworthy that this service was not available prior to a year ago, only residents that were affected by water main breaks were alerted previously. City staff continues this commitment to transparency and improved communication with the community.
The City of Emporia has two significant upcoming projects aimed at enhancing our water infrastructure:
1. 24th Avenue Waterline Project: This project involves the installation of a new waterline from the water plant to 12th Avenue and Prairie Street.
Construction Duration: It is expected to take approximately one year to complete.
Purpose: The primary objective of this project is to increase the capacity and efficiency of our water distribution network in this specific area.
2. Southeast Transmission Main Project: The Southeast Transmission Main project is extensive, spanning from 12th Avenue to Garfield Street, then to South Avenue, and finally to Carter Street.
Phases: Design Phase: Anticipated to last up to 18 months.
Construction Phase: Expected to span between 24 to 36 months.
Purpose: The Southeast Transmission Main project will significantly enhance our ability to transport water across the entire city using a single, large pipe, before distributing it to the mains throughout town. This design will help reduce water velocity in the rest of the system, contributing to its overall stability.
These projects reflect our commitment to investing in the long-term reliability and efficiency of the city’s water distribution system. While we understand that construction may cause temporary inconveniences, we are dedicated to minimizing disruptions and keeping our community informed throughout the process.
We appreciate your patience and support as we work to ensure a dependable water supply for our community.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding these projects or the state of our water distribution system, please do not hesitate to contact the Public Works Department at 620-340-6339.