Virginia American Water Launches $1 Million Main Replacement in Alexandria

From Virginia American Water:

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Virginia is making a $1 million investment to enhance water service for residents of Alexandria’s Martha Custis Drive and Valley Drive. The replacement of the eight-inch pipe, which is 3,000 feet long, will begin Friday, Oct. 7, starting on Martha Custis Drive at Gunston Road. The work will move northeast on Martha Custis Drive before starting on Valley Drive.

The project is part of nearly $4 million in infrastructure investments Virginia American Water is making in Alexandria this year, following more than $5 million in investments made to the city’s aging water system in 2015.

In addition to replacing the water main, the project also includes replacing utility-owned service lines along the pipeline route. Both improvements will enhance water service reliability and water flows for household consumption and fire protection. The project will be completed in eight months, weather permitting.

“Virginia American Water is proactively working to replace the aging water infrastructure in the city of Alexandria,” said Barry Suits, president. “The aging pipe on Martha Custis and Valley Drives has reached the end of its useful life, and we are investing our resources to ensure that residents have improved water service for many years to come.”

Crews will work weekdays between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Evening and weekend work is not expected, unless required to maintain the project schedule. During the project, some residents may experience a temporary service interruption, which typically lasts approximately one hour. While the new main is placed into service, water may be slightly discolored. Is this happens, residents are encouraged to run the water until it is clear.

During work hours, at least one traffic lane will remain open on each street and interaction. Residents will have access along the streets at all times.

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