By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

To ensure proper operation of the Hays sewer system, the Department of Water Resources has a multi-year program to clean sewer lines, about 20 miles per year.

If the collection system is not maintained, there can be sewer backups, manhole overflows, public exposure to raw sewage, and regulatory fines levied on the city.

City commissioners reviewed a low bid Thursday by Professional Pipe Services, Denver, for light cleaning ranging from $.91 a linear foot for 8-inch pipe to $1.31 a linear foot for 30-inch pipe. The work, not to exceed $150,000, would also include video inspection and some moderate to heavy cleaning as needed.

Professional Pipe Services was awarded a similar contract in 2016 and “staff was very pleased with their performance,” according to Jeff Crispin, Director of Water Resources.

“The cleaning nozzle is pushed with a jet of water through the pipe from manhole to manhole and the debris is collected at one of the manholes and disposed of at the water treatment plant. So that debris is not pushed down the system,” Crispin explained.

The video inspection is required as part of the contract.

“This helps us provide early detection of flaws and allows repairs before a catastrophic failure would incur. We use this information to adjust our maintenance route as well as make decisions on repairs on our sewer system.”

He noted the city employees do emergency sewer backup removal, root removal and regularly clean certain problem lines as part of a maintenance plan.

This is the sixth year of the sewer cleaning program.

Crispin also presented a low bid for manhole rehabilitation from Utility Maintenance Contractors, LLC of Wichita, not to exceed $60,000.

Manholes allow access to the sewer lines and require rehabilitation because of acidic environments, low pH, erosion, age, and storm water infiltration.

The Hays project focuses on manholes in acidic environments where cements react with the acidity causing the structure to literally crumble away. The work includes lining manholes with 100 percent calcium aluminate cement.

Cost of rehabilitation for each manhole is between $2,500 and $3,000 and should last 50 to 60 years. Full manhole replacement is much more costly at approximately $15,000 each.

Hays has nearly 2,000 manholes.

City commissioners will consider awarding both bid recommendations at their meeting Thur., Sept. 13.