Ashland sent out an invitation for bids this week on a project titled Oregon Road Water Main Replacement, seeking companies interested in doing the work.
What it is
The project will swap out 1,500 feet of water pipe on Oregon Road. A contractor is expected to take out the current 8-inch asbestos cement pipe and replace it with 12-inch ductile iron water main.
Why it’s being done
The project is part of the town’s commitment to connect with the Metropolitan Water Resource Agency, a move approved at the May 2017 Town Meeting.
“The town has been looking for almost two decades now (at) hooking into the MWRA system through Southborough,” Town Manager Michael Herbert said.
Ashland has struggled with a lack of water, and last year’s drought required emergency connection to the MWRA through Southborough. That was accomplished above ground, through fire hydrants, Herbert said.
Currently, Ashland’s water comes from wells drawing on a local aquifer. If that source of water gets too low, Herbert said, the town’s equipment and system can be damaged. That can affect the water needed for drinking or fire suppression.
The cost
The total cost of connecting with the MWRA is estimated at $2.2 million. That includes more than the water main replacement, such as upgrading part of Southborough’s pump station, and is covered.
Documents requesting bids from local companies interested in doing the work puts the water main replacement cost at $380,000.
When work begins
Unclear. The request for bids went out Wednesday. Companies are expected to respond by Feb. 22 with more answers.
Offering an estimate after the 2017 May Town Meeting, Herbert told the Daily News that it could take more than a year after the vote for Ashland to fully connect with the MWRA.
Alison Bosma can be reached at 508-626-3957 or abosma@wickedlocal.com. Find her on Twitter at @AlisonBosma.