5/6/20
Quick update.
One of the problems we faced while repairing the Iowa lateral caught us by surprise.
I went by the Iowa replacement/repair last night to check for problems and found a big leak. Not in any of the pipe we replaced but further up the lateral.
On Monday, as we began to dig, a very credible source suggested there was new PVC pipe installed approximately 100′ north of were we planed to start…. This was user installed pipe. So we dug a trench to try and tie into the newer PVC pipe.
Ben Dowd’s crew dug a large trench but there was no PVC.
But something in that test trench let go late last night and started flooding the area.
I had to close the head gate at about 8pm. It was near dark so I am not positive exactly were the leak was, but there was a pretty big pond were none should be.
I will send another update when we know more.
Respectfully submitted
Patrick McAllister
5/5/20
Dear friends,
The Iowa lateral started filling about 4:30pm today and it will be full and ready for service in the Morning. (If you have water at your spigot you are certainly welcome to use it but it it will take time to reach full pressure and volume. I would wait until morning to start up irrigation pumps).
When I sat down to write this note I was all set to let you know about all the many things that went wrong while working to replace the old, rusted, and full of holes, steel pipes with brand new PVC pipes.
We did in fact replace nearly 320′ of pipe. Ben Dowd’s men did a GREAT job.
Respectfully submitted,
Patrick McAllister
5/2/20
Hello All,
I just got an update from our the contractor, Ben Dowd Excavating INC. Ben will have a crew on site Monday Morning May 4th, 2020 to begin replacing the 220′ of rotting/decaying steel pipe with brand new Schedule 40 PVC.
This repair/replacement improves the lifespan of the Iowa lateral to well over a100 years or more. (the lifespan of PVC pipe is unknown because it’s only been in use for 72 years).
Whew!
And now, we can also expand the irrigation water system without the fear of a collapse upstream. That has been a real concern in planning expanding water access to new users in town.
So, thank you all for your patience and support.
Respectfully submitted 05 02 20,
Patrick McAllister
Tues – 04/28/20
Dear Friends,
Yesterday we opened the ground around the leaking pipe just north of the railroad tracks behind the old “United Fruit” warehouse yesterday hoping to make a quick fix.
You might remember me explaining that by using the new valves in the recently re-plumbed Iowa lateral we raised the water pressure a little causing some leakage north of the tracks.
Anyway, after opening the ground around the leak we exposed a very old 6″ galvanized steel pipe (see photos enclosed) and found the leak at a coupling in one of the 20′ lengths of the irrigation, After removing all the dirt around the pipe, it became clear the pipe was 30-40 years PAST it’s useful life.
Remember, we fill the lateral with irrigation water pipes every spring and then leave the laterals empty every winter. This means that both the exterior and interior of this galvanized pipe is left to rust over each and every winter it is in service. Our steel pipe was exposed to extreme rusting from both the inside and the outside during it’s entire life.
As we dug and exposed more of the pipe, other pieces of the pipe started to fall away into the dirt. (see attached photos)
Anyway, this length of the Iowa lateral, from North of the railroad tracks is 220′. We will be replacing all of the rusting pipe that is currently easily accessible in the parking area behind the old “United Fruit” packing shed. So what started being a leak repair has become a system improvement of 220′ section of pipe REPLACEMENT with 6″ Schedule 40 PVC pipe with a life expectancy of well over 100 years. (PVC pipe in not yet 100 years old, so we only really know it lasts a LOOONG TIME.). . .
The land owners, on whose property this pipe is crossing are both willing to let us replace the old pipe. And are both happy to have the failing pipe replaced. ( And most fortunately, we have the funds to pay for it’s replacement).
So, the Iowa lateral will be down for a few more days while we replace the old 6″ paper thin steel pipe with 6″ schedule 40 (strong) PVC pipe.
Lastly, our primary contractor (Ben Dowd Excavating) is willing to to make time in his busy spring schedule to complete the replacement. So it seems obvious we should do this now to protect the weakest part Iowa lateral for the next 100 years. Once completed we will have new pipe from the highway to the north side of 1st street.
Remember, two years ago we put some $40,000 into protecting this lateral from the railroad tracks south to the highway. And we want to be able to supply NEW members water from this lateral. So to retain trust and confidence in our stewardship of the irrigation laterals in Palisade, we will replace this pipe now.
As usual, there is a bit of bad news. The Iowa lateral will be closed for a few more days. We hope to open it well before May 8th, 2020.
Again, we did not plan this, but with some more of you patience, we can secure more of this lateral for over 100+ years. I will remind you all we have new pipes under the Railroad tracks installed 3 seasons ago. We have all new PVC pipe from south of the Railroad to Highway 6. So with this improvement we will have a nearly new Iowa Lateral.
Respectfully submitted,
Patrick McAllister
Operations Manager PIP&L
Again, please be patient, we are working very hard to protect your irrigation water delivery system in Palisade.
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