Another sanitary sewer project that has been on the city’s radar for a while will soon be addressed thanks to the actions this morning of the Bridgeport Utility Board. According to City Engineer Tom Brown, an engineer was chosen to do the design work and other work needed to do the Belasco Trailer Courts Improvement project.

 

The Thrasher Group (formerly Thrasher Engineering) was selected, said Brown. Brown said only two firms submitted proposals to do the project and Thrasher was chosen after having the low bid.

 

“We used our new policy (allowed under Home Rule) where once the engineers to be interviewed are selected price for service becomes a factor,” said Brown.

 

Brown said his office developed the score of the project. Once his office met with the engineers, Thrasher has the low bid of $19,000 and was chosen. Thrasher has done dozens of sewer, water and infrastructure projects with Bridgeport.

 

Thrasher’s work is anticipated to be back to the city by the end of October, Brown said. The issue in the area isn’t necessarily creating problems for residents. However, it is creating issues as far as treatment of unnecessary stream water at the wastewater treatment plant.

 

“We’re going to go in and replace any lines that are not up speed and those lines could be cracked, damaged or who knows what. Whatever is discovered will determine whether lines need repaired or replaced,” said Brown. “The same holds true for manholes in that area.”

 

In order to determine where the problems are located, Brown said Thrasher will camera the lines. He also said smoke testing will be done to determine if there are any illegal tie-ins from residential units into the sewer lines.

 

“The main issue we have is with I&I (inflow and infiltration),” said Brown. “We’re going to go in and try to determine where the water is coming in from as there is a stream and we know the clean water is coming in from somewhere. Right now, we just don’t know where and treating stream water at the treatment plant can prove costly over time.”

 

Brown said he hopes to see the project start by spring of 2016. Although a price will be determined after Thrasher prepares the bid documents as a result of their work, he said it will likely be a low six-figure project.