Auburn Development News

Auburn Advances Franklin Street Reservoir and Transmission Main Upgrades Amidst Funding Push

The City of Auburn is moving forward with critical upgrades to its water system, specifically addressing issues with the Franklin Street Reservoir and transmission main. An engineering report by GHD identified multiple pinhole leaks in the 1930s-era steel transmission main, necessitating its replacement. The reservoir itself, a 10 million gallon concrete structure, also requires repairs and cleaning, including compromised baffle walls and non-functioning process valves. Due to the lack of redundancy in the system, any work on the reservoir or main will require it to be taken out of service, placing the sole burden on the lower pump station. The report evaluated three alternatives: Option 1 involves adding a 0.5 million gallon storage tank adjacent to the reservoir and modest upgrades to the lower pump station, costing an estimated $12.6 million. Option 2 focuses on upgrading the lower pump station first to handle demands without the reservoir, costing an estimated $9 million, but carries risks of increased pressure on older pipelines and potential breaks. Option 3, replacing the reservoir entirely with a new 5 million gallon pre-cast tank, is the most expensive at $23 million. Staff is recommending Option 1 due to its improved redundancy, despite the higher cost. The city is pursuing grant funding through the WIA program, which could cover up to 60% of the cost, with application deadlines being accelerated. A bond resolution for Option 1 is being prepared to meet grant requirements, but the city is not obligated to proceed until grant funding is secured. The project is estimated to have a two-year construction period. If no action is taken, the aging infrastructure poses a significant risk of widespread water supply failures, particularly during peak demands or emergencies.