(Kansas City, Mo.) – Less than five months after a sewer main that was built in 1925 suddenly collapsed over Brush Creek, flow is once again moving through a new pipe.
On July 14th, KC Water responded to a wastewater overflow near 4821 Chelsea Avenue. What workers found was a 72” sewer main broken apart in two places. Erosion of the creek had weakened the support on the north end of the aerial crossing.
Workers were on site around the clock to stop the flow and begin bypass pumping. The overflow ended three days later.
Immediately, KC Water began working with Leath and Sons, a local contractor, to rebuild the nearly hundred year old concrete arch sewer pipe as quickly as possible. An evaluation of aerial sewer showed the entire structure should be replaced and it was determined a new 72” steel pipe on concrete piers was the most cost effective replacement.
During the project, workers welded the seven pipe joints nine times on the inside and nine times on the outside.
Unexpectedly, Hurricane Matthew pushed back the completion date. The storm delayed the manufacturing of the bearing plates in South Carolina.
This project went beyond repairs. There’s a new rock box that will help catch debris before it goes through the pipe. There’s also added stabilization to help prevent erosion in the future.
The final pipe segment was put in place December 3rd. Normal flow resumed December 14th.
On dry days, this pipe carries millions of gallons of wastewater water across Brush Creek, ultimately ending up at the Blue River Wastewater Treatment Plant.
For more information, please contact Brooke Givens, Media Relations Coordinator, at brooke.givens@kcmo.org or 816.513.0284.
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KC Water maintains and operates water treatment and distribution systems, stormwater management systems, and wastewater collection and treatment systems for residential and business customers in Kansas City and for wholesale customers in the Kansas City area. KC Water is primarily funded by fees charged to customers based on their use or impacts on the three utility systems.
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