JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Some old water pipes in Jacksonville neighborhoods are getting replaced as part of a JEA project to modernize dozens of miles of JEA’s existing potable water.
“They are installing water services as we speak,” said Bob Allsbrook, the water manager for Water Construction, as he walked News4JAX through the Ortega neighborhood on Princess Anne Lane, where they are getting new PVC pipes underground.
JEA tells News4JAX that the project has been going on since 2018, adding that about 22 miles of pipe have been replaced since then.
It’s part of the JEA Small Diameter Pipe Replacement Program to modernize more than 200 miles of JEA’s existing potable water distribution system to “reduce service failures and meet current potable flow standards.”
“This pipe has been in here since the 1950s, 1940s, depending on when this subdivision was built,” Allsbrook said. He makes sure the crews get the job done safely.
For this community, they are changing out 7,000 linear feet of pipe on this road.
“It will help out the quality of water for our customers and it also will enhance the water pressure in the area,” Allsbrook added.
JEA estimates that more than 70% of its water main breaks and leaks are a result of galvanized pipes (steel pipes with a protective coating) that are either at or rapidly approaching the end of their useful life.
JEA says it always replaces failing pipes as part of its maintenance activities, but this program accelerates progress by providing dedicated funding and management focused on execution.
The six-inch pipes allow for two new fire hydrants to be added.
This specific project is called the Princess Anne Lane and Prince Edward Road Improvement Project, impacting multiple streets and John Stockton Elementary School, but they’ve been able to change the pipes without interrupting customers including the students.
This is just one of 95 projects for the Small Diameter Pipe Program in the county.
The project is expected to be completed this fall.