Springdale sewer capacity expansion recommended

SPRINGDALE — The Water and Sewer Commission is looking to expand sewer capacity in the Springdale Industrial Park.

The City Council Committee unanimously recommended Monday the council grant two easements to the commission.

The two easements, one in the area of Old Missouri Road behind Parsons Stadium, 1423 E. Emma Ave., and the other on the east end of Turnbow Avenue, are needed to expand sewer capacity for the Industrial Park, said Rick Pulvirenti, director of engineering for Springdale Water Utilities.

“We are going to run a parallel line that is almost a twin to the existing line,” Pulvirenti said.

Both locations have a 12-inch sewer line, which will be lowered to accommodate the new sewer development, Pulvirenti said.

The new line will nearly double the sewer capacity in Industrial Park. The capacity is currently 1,700 gallons a minute.

Heath Ward, executive director of the utility, said the capacity enhancement has been on the Water and Sewer work list for several months and that it is necessary in anticipation of growth.

“We’ve done a study and it basically says if there’s going to be projected growth out there, we need to get enhanced sewer capacity out there,” Pulvirenti said. “There’s currently enough [capacity] for growth for the next few years, but we like to think ahead so we’re responding to an emergency or crisis.”

Ward foresees developments in the Industrial Park area, and cited the recent opening of Whitbeck Labs, 441 Reinert Drive, and Tyson Foods completing its embryonic research facility.

“These are not huge water users, but they will be using water, and we are seeing more interest in Springdale, especially growth on the west side of town, and that gins up interest in companies that are interested in relocating here. So we’re trying to be ready in that growth,” Ward said.

If the council approves the easements, work would begin soon after and take three to four months, likely being completed by summer’s end. Roads would not be closed to accommodate construction, Pulvirenti said.