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Cairo Water Dist. to receive about $110,000 worth of new water mains

By Amber Ruch

CAIRO, IL (KFVS) - Illinois American Water says about $110,000 has been invested to replace over 600 feet of water main installed in the Cairo District in the 1950s.

The company says this work will enhance and maintain water quality and pressure as well as fire protection to customers.

Work will begin this week to replace 610 feet of 2-inch water main with 6-inch water main on 22nd Street in Cairo from Pine Street to Holbrook Street.

Illinois American Water's main replacement program focuses on replacing water mains where leaks occur, corrosion has caused damage or the size of the pipe isn't sufficient. According to Steve Keith, Operations Superintendent for the Cairo District, the age of the pipes coupled with corrosion and sediment accumulation over the years makes the replacements necessary.

"The water mains we are replacing with this project were installed over 60 years ago," Keith said. "Upgrading this infrastructure is essential to ensuring quality water service. Illinois American Water continues to invest annually in its systems to ensure that local water quality and service continues to be as good as or better than local, state and federal quality standards."

CAT Tracks Editor's Note:

Memo to residents living on 22nd Street between Pine and Holbrook...

...it's time to form a neighborhood watch program!

You should "watch" where they dump the chunks of asphalt and concrete removed in order to install the new pipe.

Case in point...

When they worked (twice) on 29th Street between Elm and Washington Avenue, they dumped the chunks in a vacant lot on the corner of 29th and Elm...where it remains today, causing one of the many over-grown lots in Cairo.

I should know...I mow around it as needed in an effort to keep down the growth and allow drivers to see each other (and pedestrians).

But, hey!

Maybe in 60 years, they will remove the mess they created...