The City of Saluda needs to repave several streets.
Before it can talk about paving streets such as Shand, however, it first must talk about water.
“It doesn’t make sense to dig up a street to put in a new waterline if it has just been repaved,” said Saluda Mayor Fred Baisden. “Once you dig up a section to put in waterlines, new meters and fire hydrants, there isn’t going to be much of a street left.”
So, the city recently collected estimates to replace aging waterlines along Columbia Ave., Hart Street and Shand Street. The low estimates total more than $121,721.48.
This would be the total cost if, and only if, the city can replace the current lines with eight-inch PVC pipe versus iron pipe on Columbia and Hart, and six-inch PVC pipe on Shand.
Costs for replacing waterlines on Columbia Ave.:
eight-inch PVC Pipe – 1,600 feet – $29,587.72
eight-inch ductile iron pipe – 1,600 ft. – $42,352.32
Replace two fire hydrants – $7,600
Replace nine water meters – $5,400
Total cost for PVC pipe, two fire hydrants and nine water meters – $42,587.72.
Total cost for iron ductile pipe, 2 fire hydrants and nine water meters – $55,352.32.
Costs for replacing waterlines on Hart Street:
six-inch PVC Pipe – 1,500 feet – $20,125.20
six-inch ductile iron pipe – 1500 ft. – $40,110.30
Replace one fire hydrant – $3800
Replace eight water meters – $4800
Total cost for PVC pipe, onefire hydrant and eight water meters – $28,725.20
Total cost for Iron Ductile pie, one fire hydrants and eight water meters – $48,710.30
Costs for replacing waterlines on Shand Street (two options):
eight-inch PVC Pipe – 1700 feet – $30,364.89
Eight-inch Ductile Iron Pipe – 1700 ft. – $52,368.33
Replace three fire hydrants – $11,400
Replace 27 water meters – $16,200
Total cost for PVC pipe, three fire hydrants and 27 water meters – $57,964.89.
Total cost for iron ductile pipe, 3 fire hydrants and 27 water meters – $79,968.33.
Six-inch PVC Pipe – 1700 feet – $22,808.56
Six-inch ductile iron pipe – 1700 ft. – $44,999.34
Replace three fire hydrants – $11,400
Replace 27 water meters – $16,200
Total cost for PVC pipe, three fire hydrants and 27 water meters – $50,408.56
Total cost for iron ductile pipe, three fire hydrants and 27 water meters – $72,599.34
Saluda City Commissioner Lynn Cass provided these reports to the public during Saluda’s Jan. 13 meeting.
“So, it’s expensive, and still these are infrastructure problems we need to deal with sooner or later. It’s going to be belt-tightening all around. Columbia, Shand, Park and Chism also have issues,” Cass said.
Residents on Shand hill are concerned now that their fire hydrants don’t work. City administrator Erny Williams explained that if the hydrants are painted black they are inoperable, but the fire department is equipped to haul water in should a fire occur. He also said there is a need to consider increasing the size of the waterline placed on Shand.
Baisden said six inches is the smallest size line capable of handling a fire hydrant, so the city has discussed putting in an eight-inch line and two fire hydrants.
“That would give you fire protection you don’t have now,” Baisden said. “That’s what we’re looking at now and how to pay for it.”
The price tag for going with an eight-inch line rather than a six-inch line on Shand Street would mean the difference of $7,556.33. Baisden said there are community development block grants out there but only for projects ready to be implemented.
“We’re trying to get some grant money together to do this, but if we can’t then we’ll put together what money we can and do what we can with it,” he said. “We’re trying, though, to put together a plan that we can go shovel ready and get grant money to do this.”