By Michael DeGhetto, Engineering Director

Water: The Lifeblood of Our Communities

Water is the common thread that connects us all, and Suburban delivers vital, safe, and reliable services, enabling our communities to thrive. Infrastructure investments like the Painter and Dittmar Pipeline Replacement Project exemplify the operational excellence it takes to deliver projects that will serve our customers today and for future generations.

Behind the Scenes: The Pipelines that Sustain Our Neighborhoods

Most of our communities are “suburban,” with two lane asphalt paved roads that meander through neighborhoods full of ranch-style houses. The pipelines that serve these neighborhoods are the thread that transports water to the houses. There are also much larger, heavily traveled roads. When these pipelines were first installed, these intersections were paved with asphalt and may have even had stop signs instead of signals. As the communities matured, the intersections expanded, signals and more utilities were added, and, in many cases, the full intersection was upgraded with concrete paving to extend the life of the street. This is good for commuters but makes pipeline replacement projects even more challenging because concrete takes longer to pull out, install, and cure.

Ensuring Safety and Excellence Every Step of the Way

The Construction Management Team in Suburban’s Engineering Department has a Safety First attitude and attention to detail that ensures that they inspect and assist the pipeline contractor with implementing appropriate traffic control to route traffic safely around the pipeline excavations. When designing the project, engineers work with the local permitting agencies to obtain excavation permits and required traffic control plans. Traffic control plans show the traffic devices and safety measures needed to protect construction workers and the public.

A Partnership with the Community: Thank You for Your Hard Work 

We know that these projects can be challenging, and we deeply appreciate the efforts of everyone involved. From planning and design to construction and communication, your hard work is what makes these projects successful. While these pipeline replacements may cause temporary disruptions for our customers, your dedication ensures that we deliver upgraded, reliable service that will benefit our communities for years to come.