Irrigation System Improvements Being Made 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 begin on Thursday, October 30 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 begin on the part of the system north of Summitview Avenue near Cleman Avenue and North 29th Avenue. Initial operations will include directional drill installation of a new 4-inch HDPE irrigation main.

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.

Irrigation Improvement Project – News Release