Dublin Public Works Director Cory James sat down with the Citizen last week to discuss recent work and planned improvements by the city.
In the discussion, James revealed that although it has been ongoing for better than a decade, more than 14 miles of the city’s 17.5 miles of clay tile pipes have been replaced in an effort to combat wastewater issues the city was facing and showing the city’s commitment to improve to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
James reported that prior to the work, the city saw 1.2-1.4 million gallons of water rushing into the system through inflow and infiltration (I&I) which caused issues in treatment at the wastewater treatment plant as well as manholes overflowing. Since the lines have started replacement, the city now sees around 300,000 gallons on an average 2 inch rainfall, which the system can reportedly handle.
James said the remaining lines are shallow sections which had not been giving the city issues although crew did have to combat two collapses on a section on East Travis.
James said the projects picked in the past, often handled through grants, were chosen due to their increased depth and complexity since city crews couldn’t do the work themselves. (Public works can handle the shallow lines without invasive boring.) James asked residents to help by reporting any broken cleanouts or caps that need replacement to city hall at 254-445-3331.
The city is also replacing all the cast iron lines with the section under Elm Street’s tracks being the final portion. James said FWWR was very accommodating as the city handled recent line work under the tracks.
The city is also hoping to install valves on the south side of town to assist with water leaks and has received a Texas Water Development Board grant to replace the 14 inch concrete encased elevated line to the water tower. The city’s application has been accepted but the amount of funding won’t be known until March. James said the line (installed in the ‘70s) has recently had an increase in problems and they are trying to address it before the issues are significant.
Crews have recently been working on the City Park’s rec hall building by removing ceiling skirting and removing the floor for safety issues before leveling it up with base material. The next step is to pour concrete for the flooring. (They also have been removing a number of trees that have died.)
James credited The Dublin Public Library, librarian Adina Dunn and the Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design grant meetings which resulted in engineering plans for the building thanks to Dubliners’ input. James hopes to incorporate this as work continues on the building.
Plans for the park also include rehab on the jogging path. Citizen noticing issues at the park are encouraged to report them to city hall so they can be addressed.
James also reported that NextLink and Brightspeed are installing fiber optic lines with NextLink’s to be buried near the street. Residents should call 811 before digging to make sure they won’t hit these lines as well as any other utility lines.
James also reported that crews were out Friday, Jan. 17 working on pot holes and will be working to trim trees extending over city streets.