Water line flush to take place Tuesday

Beginning at 4 a.m. today for about two hours, drivers should be aware of a water line flush taking place on 32nd Street between Avenue 2-1/2 E. and Pacific Avenue, according to city officials in Yuma.

Dave Nash, a spokesman for the City of Yuma, said a 16-inch diameter water transmission line is replacing a smaller 12-inch line on 32nd Street, between Avenue 2-1/2 E. and Pacific Avenue.

The flush will make sure the line is disinfected, Nash said. After the flush, water running through the pipe will be taken to a lab for testing. The line will be tied in with the existing line after it is found to be free of bacteria, usually within 24 hours of the flushing, Nash said.

While the line has been in construction, the right-hand lane on westbound 32nd Street approaching the intersection of Pacific Avenue has been closed, and will continue to be closed until construction is completed, Nash said. He would not specify on when exactly that completion will be.

Nash also said that right turns are still allowed onto northbound Pacific Avenue.

The line is being replaced in order to accommodate the Arizona Department of Transportation's plans for a retention basin in that area, Nash said. In order for the line to be compatible with that construction, the line would have needed to be placed lower underground or replaced with a different line.

Hank Baer, utilities director for the City of Yuma, said: "It is easier to replace a pipeline than lower it."

The cost of the replacement is $282,240, paid by water utility funds. Nash said that contractors have been at work for about six weeks, and the project was estimated to be complete within two to three months.