(Photo provided, Indiana American Water)
In Gary, Indiana American Water says it recently completed a $24.5 million project that modernizes critical infrastructure serving customers throughout Northwest Indiana. The company says construction began about four years ago and included replacing aging transmission and distribution mains that had experienced frequent breaks and service disruptions. The transmission main serves as a vital component of the company’s water system, transporting treated water from Lake Michigan through the Borman Park Water Treatment Plant in Gary and into the regional distribution network. Indiana American Water says it also installed larger-diameter pipe to improve fire protection capabilities and support future community needs, and, as part of the construction effort, it replaced over 100 lead service lines connected to the project area.
The new infrastructure includes approximately 10,000 feet of water main, consisting of 6,000 feet of transmission main and 4,000 feet of distribution main that delivers water to neighborhood service lines. The project replaced more than 70-year-old 16-inch and 20-inch water mains with new 24-inch to 36-inch mains, enhancing water flow, improving system resiliency and helping meet current and future customer demand, a news release said.
“This project represents a significant investment in the long-term reliability of our water system,” said Albert Turner, engineering project manager for Indiana American Water. “The previous transmission main had experienced numerous breaks over the years, which affected operations throughout the distribution system. Replacing this critical asset helps ensure we can continue providing reliable service to our customers across Northwest Indiana.”
The transmission main serves as a vital component of the company’s water system, transporting treated water from Lake Michigan through the Borman Park Water Treatment Plant and into the regional distribution network.
In addition to replacing aging infrastructure, Indiana American Water increased system capacity in key areas by installing larger-diameter pipe to improve fire protection capabilities and support future community needs. The project included the installation of ductile iron transmission mains and PVC distribution mains designed to provide decades of reliable service.
“Part of this project was focused on modernizing our infrastructure and addressing facilities that had multiple needs for repairs,” said Jacquelyne Byland, senior engineering manager for Indiana American Water. “By upgrading and upsizing portions of the system, we have improved reliability for customers while also increasing fire flow capacity for the communities we serve.”
As part of the construction effort, Indiana American Water said it also replaced more than 100 lead service lines connected to the project area, further advancing its commitment to water quality and public health. “Every service line connected to this transmission main that was identified as lead was replaced as part of this project,” Byland said. “This work not only improved the performance of our water system but also supports our ongoing efforts to remove lead service lines from the communities we serve.”
