NILES Waterline installation completed in city

A Youngstown company is the contractor for the $2 million project.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- At least two residents say they haven't noticed any difference now that installation of a 2-mile water pipe is complete.
Crews put the water pipe on line this week. It runs from the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District to Robbins Avenue. The city purchases its water from MVSD.
"It's to increase volume throughout the city and to improve pressure in some areas ," said Randy Fabrizio, water superintendent.
It's also designed to assure Niles water customers of uninterrupted service in cases of emergency shutdowns of the city's other main waterlines.
Kenneth Lowe of West Park Avenue and Edith Click of North Cedar Avenue said they haven't seen any difference in their water service since the project went on line, but said they didn't have problems beforehand either.
Making the connection: Crews shut down a cross connection line Monday to make the connection.
Workers took samples from the line to ensure bacteria levels are within acceptable limits. Two samples must be taken 24 hours apart.
Provided the samples show acceptable levels, that connection will be turned on later this week.
The project produced a few problems, including a line break on North Road Monday that took several hours to repair.
"It changed the balance of the entire system," Fabrizio said. "The pressure is higher is some places and lower in some places."
Marucci and Gaffney Excavating Inc. of Youngstown is the contractor for the $2 million project, which started last year.
The city awarded the contract to the Youngstown company, which submitted the lowest bid, in November 1999. City council appropriated money for the project that same month.
The city increased its water rates in 1999 to pay for the project, the first increase in five years.
The line was installed primarily along the former Conrail railroad property.