STARKVILLE — The completion of a two-year project that refurbished 27,700 feet of sewer lines in the Green Oaks and Rolling Hills subdivisions in Starkville is an essential, if sometimes overlooked, factor in the city’s growth and development, Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill said.
“In order for us to continue to grow and develop and even maintain what we have, we have to have these upgrades,” Spruill said of Starkville Utilities’ $1.6 million project. “While it’s not something people can see, it is something they use and to not have it would be a serious issue.
“I think when our residents see this they are comforted by our aggressive approach in all things including plans for new water lines and new water towers. Infrastructure isn’t sexy, but it’s where every addition and improvement begins.”
Improvements of the sewer system included minimally invasive rehab-in-place technology that extended infrastructure service life by at least 50 years and improved the overall health of Starkville’s sewer and wastewater systems.
The project scope included the replacement of Rolling Hills’ sewer system and completion of the third and final phase of Green Oaks’ sewer upgrade.
“These improvements were necessary to ensure that customers in the immediate impact areas and beyond will have reliable service for many years to come,” said Mary Williams, Starkville Utilities’ capital projects manager. “We appreciated residents’ cooperation throughout the process as we focused on working safely, minimizing service disruptions and preparing Starkville’s infrastructure system for the future.”
In addition to refurbishing more than five miles of sewer lines, crews rehabbed or replaced around 140 manholes and installed several new ones in both neighborhoods. Improvements included raised rims for easier maintenance access, internal seals to keep groundwater out, sturdier frames and covers, and corrosion-resistant internal coatings.
Although the projects focused on specific neighborhoods, Green Oaks and Rolling Hills aren’t the only areas that will benefit. That’s because sewer system upgrades also prevent groundwater and storm water intrusions that can overwhelm pipes downline, overload lift stations and send excessive volumes of non-wastewater to Starkville’s water treatment plant.
“In the long run, these improvements will save money by eliminating the need for repairs and making our systems run more efficiently,” Williams said. “They were timely investments to replace aging infrastructure and enhance service for current and future customers served by Starkville Utilities.”
Slim Smith is a columnist and feature writer for The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
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