Gas Main Renewal in the Northside

Officials from the Department of Public Utilities met with Third District residents at the Police Academy, Wednesday, July 28, to address concerns about the gas main renewal project in progress in the Brookland Park Boulevard area. Residents had said the contractors failed to inform them of street closings and yard marking. The normal procedure is to notify by doorhangers, with the relevant information posted on the front doors of homes impacted by the work.

The cast iron renewal project is a 40-year project to replace all the city's cast iron gas mains with heavy duty plastic, which is more efficient, durable, safe, and less likely to be damaged by underground water leaks. The city replaces approximately 18 miles of old piping a year and is currently halfway through the 40-year project. Part of the project includes reconnecting homes along the route to the new gas mains, and modifying or moving gas meters that were originally positioned in now inappropriate or unsafe locations.

Work is currently being done on Brookland Park Boulevard between Hanes and Brook Road; W. Ladies Mile Road between Brookland Park and Hawthorne and to Chamberlayne; Brook Road from Brookland Park to Laburnum; Brookland Park from North Avenue to Edgewood; Brookland Park at Garland and Fendall; Laburnum Avenue from Brook to North; and Cliff Avenue from E. Ladies Mile to Hazelhurst.

Next month's work areas include the alleys between Hanes and Fendall, Fendall and Griffin, and Griffin and Edgewood (Brookland Park to Essex); Rennie from Brook to Seminary; the alley between Seminary and Chamberlayne, from Brookland Park to Hammond; Lancaster from Fendall to Barton; the alley between Norwood and Lancaster, from Fendall to North; Noble from Laburnum to North; Hawthorne from Laburnum to North, and Hazelhurst from North to E. Ladies Mile.

For more information, call the Logistics Center, 644-3000; Nick Georges, 646-8321, or Mike Bellman, 646-8301.

Richmond's Drinking Water

This water coming into the Water Treatment Plant from the James River becomes the clean, clear water that comes out of your faucet. Settling basins remove large and medium particles. Filtration removes small to minute particles, and aeration and disinfection improves the taste and kills bacteria. Chemicals are added to buffer water and provide dental protection. Did you know many children born and raised on Richmond water have few to no cavities?

For more information on Richmond's great water, visit our web page.

Flood Gates

If you have ever wondered what a flood gate looks like, here's the one on Brander Street that blocks off Ancarrow's boat landing area.

Stove Photo from a Fan

Ron Edwards sent in this photo of his gas stove with the message, "I love cooking with gas!" Share your experiences cooking, heating, or grilling with natural gas and you will be entered to win a quarterly $25 credit on your gas bill.

Utility Buddy Pays a Visit

Utility Buddy visited the Class A Performing Arts Summer Program this week on the Southside to present a program about natural gas safety and water conservation. For more photos, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rvadpu

A Stormwater Message from the City Council President

Our Mosquito Crew

If you are squeamish about insect larvae, this may be difficult to watch. The city has six registered technicians to spray for mosquito larvae in storm drains and standing water from April to October.

Reedy Creek Coalition Audit Report

This audit report is posted at the Hills and Heights community blog.

Channel 8 reports on Mayo Bridge Main Blow Out