July 2023

Water Main Project

The contractor has encountered significant delays that will require schedule modification. The primary delay has been lack of workers. At this time we are awaiting a revised schedule from the City and contractor. Some have questioned the rationale for the project in the first place. Two main reasons: First, the water mains are 50 years old and not of the preferred composition—time for proactive replacement. Second, the existing 6-inch mains will not support adequate pressure for firefighting or adequate pressure for houses down the line.

The project removes the city owned pressure reducing equipment at the front end of the water mains which has had the effect of lowering pressure to acceptable levels for those near the beginning but prevents acceptable pressure for those down the line. Instead, it will now be the homeowner’s responsibility to step down the pressure with a home-in-stalled pressure reducing valve. Spring Brook now has a water pressure gauge that connects to an outside water faucet bib.

If you would like to check your pressure before and/or after connection to the new water main, contact the caretaker, Wayne Rippel, at 605.545.7235. The City is sending out a revised letter for those who need to have a pressure reducing valve installed or replaced with partial reimbursement from the City. The letter corrects the address for reimbursement to: Eric Bodya, Water Superintendent, 300 Sixth Street, Rapid City, SD 57702.

One final note: If you have an old white plastic water service line from the curb stop (water shut off valve) to your house, you may want to consider having it replaced proactively as they tend to fail at inconvenient times (as in winter). The City will also be able to provide limited reimbursement if done within two years (see previous City letter dated October 12, 2022).