City Board of Works ends lengthy debate, opts for PVC pipe

Reminiscent of the old Miller Lite TV commercial debates -- less filling ... tastes great -- the Greencastle Board of Works ended its lengthy water main debate Wednesday evening.

For the past five months, the board has been debating the less corrosive, more longevity factors of ductile iron vs. PVC pipe for the Albin Pond Road water main replacement project.

That’s even after accepting a $2,174,055 bid on the project -- partially funded by an OCRA grant -- with ductile iron being the pipe of choice back in June.

One of the attractions was the supposed 100-year life of ductile iron as opposed to an estimated 50-year lifespan for PVC pipe.

But other factors started to weigh in over interceding weeks. For example, ductile iron has a 12- to 15-month lead time for delivery, while PVC pipe is in stock currently.

Ductile iron is currently in the ground for the Albin Pond Road water main but has been corroding badly in recent years, enough so to warrant the replacement project after numerous repairs have been required, costing $3,000 to $5,000 each time, officials have said.

Water and Wastewater Supt. Oscar King Jr. has voiced a preference for PVC pipe, suggesting it will outperform ductile iron in the old railroad bed that carries the Albin Pond Road waterline.

King said he wants to see the work done as soon as possible and not have to wait a year for the availability of ductile iron as well as what a year’s delay might mean for the costs involved.

During a special meeting Wednesday evening, board member Craig Tuggle made the motion to approve a changeorder, altering the choice of pipe to PVC. It will amount to an initial savings of $33,370. Mayor Bill Dory made it unanimous. Member Trudy Selvia was absent.

In other business, the Board of Works:

-- Amended its contract with National Water Services for well cleaning to include the relining of Well No. 5 at an additional cost not to exceed $25,000. The need for relining wasn’t known until National discovered it during recent well cleaning. With the well already disassembled, National will need to replace the lining, reinstall the pumps and test the well. The contract calls for the work to be done within one month or by Nov. 26.

-- Canceled the request for quotes on the relining of Well No. 5 that were sent out by Curry & Associates since there was already a contract in place with National Water Services for the work.

-- Approved a two-year, $93,380 contract with Indiana Small Business Development Center for business consulting services. The contract will run through Dec. 31, 2024.