Marion City Council gets update on water line improvements two months after line break

Marion City Council got an update on improvements to the water and sewer infrastructure, two months after a pump failure caused a water outage across the city for several days.

Utility engineering consultant Roderick Hawkins delivered a detailed report at the council’s Tuesday meeting about ongoing water and sewer infrastructure projects that are underway to fix problems with the aging system. He said many projects are funded through ARPA and EPA grants.

A broken pump at the city’s water plant on Nov. 21 caused residents throughout Marion to go without water for about three days before a new pump was installed. 

Crews have worked to fix other issues since. Hawkins reported that valve and hydrant replacements are 90% complete with the remaining work being delayed by weather and state permits.

A new pump and motor have been installed at the Marion Military Institute well, however control panels and valves are still pending.

There is a citywide meter replacement coming up using a $480,000 EPA grant with bids expected to go out in February, Hawkins said. On the sewer trunk line repairs, two of three major sites are completed, but additional damage was discovered in wooded areas.

Hawkins also reported that there have been three major lift station failures:College Street, Child Street and Magnolia Industrial Drive. All will require full replacement.

Hawkins noted that supply chain delays also have slowed progress: “Some pumps are taking over a year to arrive. They’re built to order now.”