Work expected to begin in the spring

On May 16, 2018, members of the Norfolk Sewer District voted unanimously to apply for a grant to repair the infrastructure of the aging pipe system in town.   In August, the district received word from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that the grant has been approved through that agency’s rural development program.   This will provide 45% of the total $4.2 million cost of the project to reline the system. The remaining costs will be funded by a 40-year federal loan at a 2.375% interest rate, which is expected to result in an increase of roughly $250 per year to each of the 376 homes and businesses that utilize the sewer system.

Sewer District Chairman Ron Zanobi says that the current system was installed in the late 1890’s and consists of sections of clay pipes, three feet each in length. Over the years, the pipes have become cracked and broken, allowing groundwater to infiltrate and overwhelm the system.   “Cutting down on infiltration will result in treating less water at the plant,” he says, “which will eventually result in less expense in chemicals, electricity to operate the plant and overall repairs.”

Zanobi anticipates minimal disruption to traffic during the repair period because the work will be done from manhole to manhole by injecting hot water into a special plastic sleeve-lined pipe. This process causes a reaction that makes the lining adhere to the sides of the pipes, coating and sealing them.

The project will go out to bid this winter, with construction anticipated to begin in the spring.