Irrigation System Improvements Continue in Yakima Neighborhoods

P.O.W. Contracting, Inc., a Pasco-based construction firm, is the primary contractor for an approximately $980,000 project that will improve the irrigation system in several neighborhoods in Yakima. Work on the West Yakima Irrigation System Phase 2 Improvements project will continue in the coming weeks and is expected to be completed by the start of the 2015 irrigation season next spring.

The project will improve the irrigation water delivery system in neighborhoods between Summitview Avenue to the south, Lincoln Avenue to the north, 21st Avenue to the east, and 37th Avenue to the west.

As part of the project, approximately 5,130 linear feet of new 3-inch and 4-inch high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”) pipe and approximately 7,390 linear feet of new 3-inch to 12-inch polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) pipe will be installed. More than 200 new irrigation service connections will also be completed as part of the project.

“The new pipe will address leakage issues that we have had with the old pipe and significantly reduce the need for repairs to be made,” said Water/Irrigation Engineer Mike Shane. “Because of the improvements, the annual operating and maintenance costs will drop for that part of the irrigation system. When the project is finished, we will allow be able to provide much more reliable irrigation service in that part of the community well into the future,” said Shane.

Work on the project will continue on the part of the system north of Summitview Avenue between North 24th Avenue and North 21st Avenue. The contractor has completed the directional drill installation of all new 4-inch HDPE irrigation mains, and will continue completing the new service installations in throughout these areas.

The contractor will also begin trench installation of new 6-inch, 8-inch and 12-inch PVC irrigation main along the north side of Summitview between 21st Avenue and 37th Avenue.

While the project is underway, construction equipment such as backhoes and dump trucks will be used. Traffic control devices will be used in the areas of construction and traffic will be routed around project areas.  Travel will periodically be restricted to one lane in each direction on Summitview Avenue through the project area. Although access may be temporarily restricted in the immediate areas of construction, access to homes in the project area will be maintained as best as possible.

Funding for the project is provided from the City’s Irrigation Capital Improvement budget.

For more information about the project, contact Water/Irrigation Engineer Mike Shane at 576-6480.

West Yakima Irrigation Project – News Release