Waterfront Getting New Sewer Line

The Town of East Greenwich has begun replacing the Water Street sewer line, starting at the Sewage Treatment Plant and Barbara Tufts Playground now, with work on Water Street itself to begin in October.

The hope is that as little disruption as possible take place during the busy summer, early fall season at the waterfront, said Public Works Director Joe Duarte. It's tricky because boats start coming out of the water (needing Water Street) just as restaurants are closing.

The hope is to get as much work done this fall as possible and into the winter depending on the weather.

"If the weather holds outs, why not?" said Duarte.

At issue are the old clay pipes, which are being replaced with PVC, a strong plastic that should last many decades.

"This is as a result of overflows and requirements of the EPA," Duarte told the Town Council at a meeting in April. Water Street has had problems for many years.

"About half of our sewer flow comes thru this pipe," said Duarte last April.

Water pipes will be replaced while the street is dug up too, with that cost being covered by Kent County Water Authority.

The work is being done by William Anthony Excavating for a total price of $1.8 million. The cost to KCWA is $172,000.

"This will be a town project, but we will get fully reimbursed by Kent County for their project," said Duarte.

The money comes from a $5 million bond passed by voters in 2007. By using a state "revolving fund," the town gets a lower interest rate, Duarte said, in this case about one point under prime.

William Anthony was the company that carried out the capping of the former landfill (now known as Scalloptown Park).

"William Anthony has done projects with the town. We’re familiar with this company and we’re confident they can do the job," said Duarte.

Some of the project will be difficult. At the playground, for instance, they have to go down 30 feet.

The project, which extends to King Street, could last into next spring, depending on the weather.