SignalsAZ.com Prescott News Podcast - Prescott, AZ Water Main Extension Project

Episode Date: January 8, 2025

Send us a text and chime in!SignalsAZ.com published an article announcing the City of Prescott's upcoming Zone 52 Water Main Extension Project. The project, starting January 6, 2025, involves installing over a mile of new water main pipe and replacing outdated water infrastructure. Construction, expected to last until fall 2025, will impact traffic and may cause brief water shutoffs, with affected residents notified in advance. The article provides contact information for questions and updates on the project's progress. The overall goal is to improve Prescott's water system capacity.Check out the CAST11.com Website at: https://CAST11.com Follow the CAST11 Podcast Network on Facebook at: https://Facebook.com/CAST11AZFollow Cast11 Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/cast11_podcast_network

Welcome back, everybody. Today, we're going to be taking a deep dive into something that sounds pretty simple on the surface, but actually I think is super fascinating. Yeah, I think this will be a good one. It's about a news announcement that came out recently for Prescott, Arizona, about a project to extend the water main. And I know you might be thinking, well, that's pretty hyperlocal. But trust me, this is going to be a lot more interesting than that. We're going to use this as kind of a jumping off point to look at city planning and all the different things that go into infrastructure and then how you balance growth with resource management. And I think those are topics that are relevant no matter where you live. For sure. So it's going to be a good one. Yeah. I'm excited. All right. So just to set the scene, the project is focusing on Williamson Valley Road. And specifically, it's the stretch from Pioneer Parkway to Bowie Drive South. Okay. And that's over a mile of new water. If you look at it on a map, it looks like this area is pretty spread out. Yeah. I mean, I don't have like the specific data on Prescott's growth patterns or anything like that. But just the fact that they're extending it that far out kind of makes me think that they're anticipating more development out in that direction. Interesting.

So they're thinking ahead and making sure that the water infrastructure can support all these like, you know, potential new homes, businesses, all that kind of stuff. So they're not just reacting to the current needs, but really looking ahead. to what could be coming down the pipeline, literally. Exactly, yeah. Now, this article mentions the construction of new water appurtenances, which, honestly, I had to look at. That sounds very technical. I was like, what is that? So can you kind of break that down for us in like non-jurgent terms?

What are we talking about here? So basically, it's anything that's connected to that main water system, like valves that control the water flow fire hydrants, you know, for safety meters to track usage. Okay. And those little access points you see in the street. Gotcha. That allow workers to check and maintain the system. Okay.

So it's a whole network of supporting infrastructure. It's not just laying down pipe. It's not just the pipe, yeah. And actually, speaking of the existing infrastructure, they're also demolishing this old Longview Water storage tank and booster pump station. So why replace something that's already there? Yeah. So this gets into kind of the concept of aging infrastructure, right?

Like anything else, these systems have a lifespan. You know, over time, pipes corrode pumps, wear out, storage tanks become less reliable. And this is not just unique to Prescott either. This is a challenge for cities, you know, all across the U.S. And I imagine ignoring these issues can have some pretty serious consequences. Oh, absolutely. You know, a study actually done in 2021 estimated that the U.S. loses over six billion gallons of treated water per day just due to leaky pipes. Wow.

So you think about all that wasted water, wasted money. wasted energy. Right. And then on top of that, you've got the potential disruptions in service. Right. And then the risk of contamination from these aging pipes as well. That really puts things into perspective. So this project is about more than just keeping the water flowing. It's about really investing in a system that's more reliable, efficient, and potentially even safer. Exactly. Yeah. And by replacing these outdated components, you know, like this tank and pump station, they're likely going to be upgrading to newer technologies that are way more efficient. Yeah.

You know, and can really meet the needs of a growing community. So it says here the project is scheduled to start the week of January 6th, 2025. Okay. And they've got a pretty ambitious goal of completing it by fall of 2025. Wow. So that seems like a tight turnaround. Is that a realistic timeline for something like this? Yeah, it's hard to say for sure without, you know, all the specifics about the terrain, you know,

and existing utilities, permitting hurdles, all that. But a year-long time frame for, you know, a, you know, mile-long water main extension, it does suggest they're undertaking something pretty major. It's not just digging a trench. They have to coordinate with all these other utilities. They have to make sure they're complying with environmental regulations. They had to try to minimize disruptions to traffic and residents. The whole thing. And speaking of those disruptions, the article does mention lane restrictions, reduce speeds, and of course the inevitable construction noise, which is never fun for the people who live nearby. It is something you have to consider,

though, right? It's that balance of progress and, you know, people's everyday lives. Like, nobody enjoys that kind of stuff. Yeah. But it's often unavoidable when you're trying to make these necessary improvements. So what are some things that cities can do to kind of mitigate that impact on residents, you know, while this is all happening? I think communication is huge, you know, keeping people informed about what's going on. Like the timeline, any potential disruptions, alternative routes, if there are any, you know, just really being. transparent about the process can go a long way in managing expectations and minimizing people getting frustrated. Yeah, keeping people in the loop makes a huge difference. And it does say here that Prescott will be maintaining continuous water service throughout the project. And they'll provide

advance notice if they need to do any shutoffs. That's good. Which is reassuring, at least. Yeah, absolutely. Maintaining those essential services and communicating any planned interruptions. Right. That's crucial for minimizing, you know, disruptions to people's lives. So we've got this big project, this tight timeline, this inevitable impact on residents. But it sounds like Prescott's at least trying to take steps to manage those challenges and keep people informed. Yeah. And it sounds like they're trying to be transparent about the process, which is always good.

Yeah. But, you know, while we're talking about impact, there's another layer here we should consider. And it's the environmental side of things. Right. We haven't even touched on that. What are some of the environmental implications we should be thinking about with a project like this? Yeah. There's a lot to unpack there. Yeah. You know, we need to think about the impact of the construction itself, the long-term sustainability of this new infrastructure and even the potential for incorporating, you know, green technologies into the project. Okay, so it sounds like we've got a whole other can of worms to open up. A whole reservoir of questions, if you will. I like it. I like it. But we're going to have to save that for the next part of our deep dive. So don't go anywhere. We'll be right.

back after a quick break. So, yeah, picking up where we left off, let's dig into those environmental questions. Okay. Because even a pretty routine project, like this water main extension, you know, it still has environmental impacts. So, like, what are we talking about specifically? What kind of footprint does something like this leave? Well, just to start, there's the construction phase itself, right?

Yeah. I mean, you're digging up a lot of earth disrupting the existing ecosystem. And there's always the risk of things like soil erosion and runoff into any nearby waterways. And then you have to factor in all the emissions from the heavy machinery, the trucks. You know. It's easy to forget about that stuff when you're just focused on the end goal. Exactly. And it's not even just the construction phase.

Think about the materials themselves. Okay. What kind of footprint did the manufacturing of those pipes leave behind, you know? Oh, that's a good point. And then transporting them to the site. Yeah. It's like this hidden environmental cough. Right. And then there's the long-term sustainability of the new infrastructure itself.

Okay. Are they using materials that are durable and long-lasting? Right. So you don't have to keep repairing and replacing them. Are they designing the system to be water efficient so you reduce waste? So it's about more than just laying down the pipes. It's about making choices that minimize the impact over the whole life of the project. Exactly. And while we're on that topic of forward-thinking solutions, this is the perfect

time to consider incorporating some green technologies into the project. Oh, I like where this is going. What kind of green technologies are we talking about? Well, for one, you could use recycled materials in the construction process. Another option is incorporating permeable pavement around the area, which helps reduce stormwater runoff, and it can actually replenish the groundwater. Those are some great ideas. What about the energy needed to run the system? Are there ways to reduce the footprint there? Absolutely. You could use solar power bumps. Okay. Or incorporate energy efficient motors into the system. And I'm guessing those technologies would not only reduce the environmental impact, but probably

save the city money in the long run. Yeah, often there is that added bonus. Makes sense. And even like smaller things can make a difference. Like what? Like planting trees around the project area. Yeah. You know.

Oh, sure. Not only does that help kind of visually mitigate the construction. Right. But it provides shade, which reduces that urban heat island effect. and it improves air quality. So it's like a win, win, win. Yeah, exactly. So, I mean, how often do you think cities actually prioritize these kinds of environmental considerations in their projects?

That's a good question. I mean, it seems like it's becoming more and more common. Yeah, I think so too. There's definitely a growing awareness that we can't just keep building without thinking about the long-term environmental consequences. Right. It's got to be sustainable. Exactly. And I think this shift towards more sustainable.

infrastructure, it's being driven by a lot of different factors, like environmental awareness, of course, but also cost savings. Sure. And even, I think, a little bit of competition between cities to be seen as those green leaders. Oh, for sure. Bragging rights. Right. So it's a multifaceted issue, but the trend is definitely moving in the right direction.

But, you know, let's zoom out a little bit here and consider another crucial aspect of these projects, and that's funding. Right. Someone's got to pay for all of this. So where does the money usually? come from for a project like this? Well, it really varies from city to city. Okay.

Some rely heavily on property taxes, while others use impact fees they charge to developers. Okay. And then there's also federal and state funding available. Gotcha. Often through grants or low-interest loans. So it's kind of a mixed bag. It is. And actually securing that funding can be a big hurdle for a lot of cities, especially

those that are dealing with, you know, tight budgets or competing priorities. Right. And this often leads to tough decisions about, you know, which projects get prioritized. And I imagine those decisions can get pretty contentious. Oh, yeah, for sure. I mean, it's all a balancing act. Right.

And they're always tradeoffs involved, you know. Like what kind of tradeoffs? Well, for example, a city might have to choose between investing in a new water main or repairing those aging roads we talked about. Okay. Or they might face pushback from residents who don't want their taxes raise to pay for a particular project. It's like this whole web of interconnected issues. It is. And it really highlights how much goes on behind the scenes before you even get to the point of breaking ground on a project like this.

Yeah. And it makes you realize how important it is for people to be engaged in these decisions, you know, to understand how it all works. The residents need to understand how these decisions are made. Right. Where the funding is coming from. And how they can actually make their voices heard. Yeah. Whether it's attending city council meetings, contacting their elected officials.

Right. Or even just staying informed about local issues. It all makes a difference. It does. Citizen participation is crucial in shaping, you know, the future of our communities. Absolutely. Well, this has been fascinating. We started with what seemed like a simple construction project,

and we've ended up talking about global challenges. I know. It's crazy. Environmental impacts. And now even the role of citizens in shaping these decisions. It really shows you how interconnected all these issues are. It does. And there's one more piece of this puzzle that I think is.

super important to discuss, and that's the link between water infrastructure and public health. Oh, yeah. That's a big one. But it looks like we'll have to say that for the last part of our deep dive. We will, but don't go anywhere. We'll be right back. Okay, so we're back and ready to talk about that link between water infrastructure and public health. All right. Let's get into it. It's honestly not something I think about very often, but I have a feeling it's way more important than we realize. It really is. I mean, the connection between water and health is huge. And a lot of times people don't even think about it. I guess it seems so obvious. You know, we literally need water to live. But what are some specific ways that these kinds of projects, like the one we're talking about in Prescott? How do they actually impact public health? Well, think about those aging pipes we were talking about. You know, as they corrode, they can start to leach contaminants into the water supply, like lead and copper. Oh, right. And lead exposure, even in small amounts,

can be really harmful, especially for kids. Yeah. You know, it can affect their development and lead to some long-term health issues. So these upgrades aren't just about making the system more efficient. They're actually about protecting people's health. Exactly. And it's not just about the materials either. You need to have the right system design and make sure it's properly maintained

to prevent things from getting contaminated. Like if there are leaks in the system that can create a way for bacteria to get in and, you know, nasty stuff. Yeah. Yeah. So regular inspections and repairs are. super important for minimizing those risks. So it's like one little problem can snowball into something that affects people's health. Right. Exactly. And beyond contamination, just the basic fact that the water is reliable, that also has a huge impact on public health. I mean, think about what happens

when there's a big water main break. Oh, yeah. People can't get clean drinking water, you know, hospitals and other important services can't function properly. It's a big deal. It really makes you realize how much we depend on having that water there all the time. Absolutely. And, you know, with climate change and more extreme weather happening, you know, things like droughts and floods, that can really put a strain on these systems and make them more vulnerable. Right.

So cities really need to be thinking ahead and making sure their infrastructure can handle those challenges and keep providing safe water for everybody. It sounds like it's a lot more complex than most people would probably think. It really is. And it's not just about the physical plikes and pumps and all that. It's also about the policies and regulations that make sure the water. water is clean and accessible. So it's kind of this mix of engineering and environmental stuff and government policy. Exactly. It all works together to make sure we can just turn on the tap and get clean water. Well, I have to say, this has been a really eye-opening deep dive. I agree. I mean,

we started with a local construction project and ended up talking about all these global issues and the environment and even public health. It's amazing how it all ties together. It really is. And, you know, it just goes to show how important it is for people to be informed and engaged with what's happening in their communities. Absolutely well said. So to everyone listening, the next time you take a sip of water, think about everything that went into making that possible, and consider what you can do to make sure everyone has access to clean safe water both now and in the future. Thanks for joining us today.