Two heavy rains provided the latest evidence that the City of Warsaw needs to start assessing its aging storm water infrastructure. Two breaks in a storm sewer line in recent weeks after heavy rains prompted Mayor Joe Thallemer to call for an assessment of some of the older lines. Heavy rains can put added pressure on pipes and in two instances, joints in the underground lines broke, causing a washout that led to the collapse of road pavement above. Underground leaks cause surrounding dirt to shift or sink, causing pavement above to collapse. Thallemer said the city will soon begin analyzing underground lines to determine their condition. The goal is to identify troubled sewer lines and determine which ones could benefit from being relined to prevent leaks. Parts of the storm water lines are more than 100 years old and much of the work will likely focus on those areas, Thallemer said. “We’re probably going to have to come up with a plan because it’s probably not going to be a small project,” Thallemer said. Lining the pipes is preferable compared with replacement because of the cost and the need to tear up and replace pavement. Thallemer declined to pinpoint certain areas that will be assessed. Relining the pipes would allow the sewer lines to “function for many years,” he said. Thallemer brought his concern about the storm sewer lines to the Board of Public Works and Safety Friday morning. “I wouldn’t say it’s urgent, but it’s certainly on our radar,” he said.
