Fire Suppression Next Phase and pH Changes on Westerville Farm Fields
Westerville’s fire suppression project in the Uptown district to enhance fire safety in its historic area is now laying copper water lines to buildings along Haywood and Hanby Alleys between East College and Home Street.
This complete program involves installing new water mains behind businesses along State Street—specifically, from Winter Street to Home Street on the east side, and from Home Street to College Avenue on the west side. The goal is to provide building owners with access to a system of exterior water lines for interior sprinklers. [ thewestervillenews.com ]
The project is part of a five-year capital improvement plan aimed at safeguarding the historic district. During Phase 1A and 1B, approximately 1,100 feet of water line were installed on Haywood Alley between East College Avenue and East Main Street.
The project’s urgency stems from Uptown’s vulnerability, highlighted by a devastating 1896 blaze that destroyed blocks due to inadequate water access. Today, the district’s National Register of Historic Places status adds preservation concerns.
Property owners are not required to link to the new system, but those who do can apply for reimbursement grants to offset connection costs. The city’s long-term vision is to reduce fire risks in mixed-use buildings, some lacking modern sprinklers. An earlier installtion connected the sytem to High Bank Distillery, the first business connection from the program.
However, progress has encountered challenges. Contractors have discovered unmarked and apparently unused underground utilities while trenching for the new system, causing delays in the installation process. [ thewestervillenews.com ]
Regarding reimbursement for businesses connecting to the new water lines, the City of Westerville has provisions under its Codified Ordinances. Property owners who construct private water lines connecting to the city's water distribution system may be eligible for reimbursement.
Lime Sludge Removal Project Begins at Westerville Water Plant
Westerville’s lime sludge removal project is nearly underway. Equipment has arrived at the lime ponds at the City’s Water Treatment Plant, where crews will soon begin pumping and transporting material from the east and middle lagoons. The operation marks the start of a multi-phase effort to manage byproducts from the city’s water treatment process through environmentally approved land application.
Treated lime from the Water Treatment Plant will be spread across the Yarnell and Braun farms. Crews expect to transport and apply approximately 700 tanker loads of lime sludge, following EPA-approved guidelines to ensure environmental safety and compliance. This material, a byproduct of the water purification process, will improve soil conditions on agricultural land, completing a beneficial reuse cycle that supports city operations and local farming.
The project includes the installation of a new synthetic liner and concrete ramps in the east lagoon to address ongoing leakage issues that have worsened over the past year. The liner, with a 20-year warranty, is designed to prevent seepage of lime sludge into the surrounding soil, restoring the lagoon’s full capacity and protecting groundwater. The concrete ramps will provide stable access points for heavy equipment during sludge removal, reducing erosion and improving worker safety. Together, these improvements aim to extend the service life of the lagoon and ensure more efficient operations during future sludge removal cycles.
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