Cranbrook city council has approved up to $128,789 to replace an aging manhole and 24 metres of sanitary sewer pipe near 3rd Street South and 17th Avenue South.
Crews completing offsite infrastructure work for the new Dr. F.W. Green Memorial Home discovered the sewer infrastructure was in poor condition, with holes allowing sewage to leak into the ground.
The city wants the repairs completed before a new road is built over the sewer to avoid having to dig up the road later.
Curtis Penson, manager of engineering and field services, said completing the sewer replacement now will save the city a significant amount of money.
“I don’t have the exact number in front of me, but with the road dug up and then the road gravels, were saving all of the cost of rebuilding that section of road, the road being one continuous length essentially, tens of thousands if not over a hundred thousand dollars of savings by doing it now, compared to four, five years from now.” said Penson.
Councillor Lynnette Wray called it a “common sense request” and said completing the work now is a cost-effective approach.
“Everything is dug up, we know something is leaking, it only makes sense to fix it while we’re there,” said Wray.
The sewer replacement work is valued between $97,477 and $128,789, depending on the bypass pumping method used during the replacement.
Penson said the request is on the higher end of the value to ensure there is enough funds for the replacement.
“I’m definitely pushing to try and keep it below the $100,000, but I wanted to ask council for the higher amount in case we need it during construction. They’re hoping to get in there next week and actually do the work.” said Penson.
The money will come from the Capital Sanitary Sewer Reserve, which is expected to hold $2.76 million, decreased by the amount needed for this project, at the end of 2026.
The city will reimburse the developer after the work is completed under its Latecomer Agreements and Oversizing Policy and development agreement.
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