3
ORDER
An Order to the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Water Management to re-evaluate and reconsider cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) as an alternative to existing water main replacements.
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago water main replacement program is a necessary program to replace outdated and antiquated water mains across the city that have lasted beyond their expected serviceable life. The current process for replacing water mains relies on open trench excavations of the public way to access and remove old infrastructure, and to install new water main lines; and,
WHEREAS, this open trench process is very invasive, disruptive, dirty, and time-consuming. Most water main replacement projects last many months, and are subject to delays caused by unforeseen issues, such as unknown below-grade infrastructure, incomplete and dated public way maps, and weather; and
WHEREAS, the State of Illinois requires at least ten (10) feet of separation between water main and sewer lines. In many cases, water mains must be laid in or near where an old main was removed due to the proximity to an existing sewer line; and,
WHEREAS, not all water mains in Chicago are located under roadways. Many water mains across the city are located below parkways and boulevards, which often are home to large, old-growth, shade-producing trees; and
WHEREAS, in order to remove and replace antiquated water mains located under parkways and boulevards, these old-growth trees must be removed, thereby depriving residential streets of shade and cooling, natural flood abatement, and an important aesthetic to a community; and
WHEREAS, an industry-tested, non-invasive technology, cured-in-place pipe (CIPP), exists as an alternative that can provide a valuable, cost-effective alternative to trenching and water main removal; and
WHEREAS, this technology relies on a simple process that generally involves inserting a tube of a woven material like polyester, fiberglass cloth, felt, or other materials ...
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