LMWA System Map | Lark Meadows Water

LMWA Water Main Pipeline Sizes and Materials

The LMWA water system underwent very major renovations in 1983, including replacing some, but not all, of the existing water main pipes under the streets. Using old blueprint maps, I pieced together information about the LMWA water main pipelines that lie under the streets now in 2017. The history described below is complicated, but the map on the next page shows the current situation more clearly. We currently have two kinds of water main pipe: 4-inch-diameter cast iron from before 1983, and 6-inch pipe of unknown material (probably PVC). The older blueprint from Scott, Cox and Associated, Inc. is labeled “Lark Meadows Water Pipelines” and dated December 1979. The second blueprint map by the same company is labeled “Water Distribution System Improvements” and is dated Oct. 22, 1982. Using the information from both I determined the following likely history.

-Brooks Martner

DO NOT USE THIS INFORMATION FOR DIGGING, PLANNING REMODELS, ETC.

Refer to official county map for those purposes.

Underneath Bluebird Lane the mains are 6-inch diameter (probably PVC*)

(The 6-inch pipe replaced older ¾” copper and 2” galvanized steel in 1983).

Underneath Hollyhock Drive the mains are 4-inch cast iron from Bluebird Lane eastward to 8654 Hollyhock (Dogruyusever’s house). These cast iron pipes were not replaced in the 1983 renovations.

From 8654 Hollyhock northeastward to the bottom of the hill near 8606 Elgin (Crandall’s house) the mains are 6-inch diameter (probably PVC*).

Underneath Elgin Drive** from 8751 Elgin (Spear’s house) westward to 8733 Elgin (Meyer’s house) new mains are 6-inch diameter (probably PVC*) were planned for installation in 1983 to replace the older 2” galvanized steel pipe. But this might not have ever actually happened.**

From 8758 Elgin (Martner’s house) eastward to 8850 Elgin (S. Cooper’s house) the mains are 4-inch cast iron. These cast iron pipes were not replaced in the 1983 renovations.

From 8850 Elgin (S. Cooper’s house) eastward to the west edge of 8934 Elgin (Bollaert’s house) new mains of 6-inch diameter (probably PVC*) planned for installation in 1983 to replace 2-inch galvanized steel pipe. But this might not have ever happened**

From the pump house to the streets eastward and westward the mains are 4-inch cast iron, dating from before the 1983 renovations.

* = the 1982 blueprint map does not specify the pipe material for the 6-inch pipes that were installed in 1983. However, under “Notes”, the blueprint says “If PVC main is used, detectable mylar underground pipe marking tape shall be placed along the main”. Bill Dietsch, President of LMWA at the time, remembers it being PVC.

The notes further state that “Water mains shall be installed so that a minimum 4.5 feet of cover is maintained.

** Big however – All of the above assumes the planned changes shown on the 1982 blueprint map were indeed implemented in 1983. Roger Falk, who was Treasurer of the LMWA at the time, says the planned changes were only implemented on the west side of the neighborhood – not along Elgin Drive – because LMWA ran out of renovations money. If true, then the water mains under Elgin are 2” galvanized steel (not 6” PVC) on the west and east ends and 4” cast iron in between, and all are older than 1983. Bill Dietsch and Cliff Monette think Roger Falk is wrong about this, but Roger insists he is right. It seems like Roger, who has lived on Elgin since 1974, would remember if his street had been dug up for this.

Another however – Cliff Monette says the ¾-inch copper line in front of his house was never changed out. He says it is still a separate line for his property only, parallel to the newer 6” PVC that runs from Hollyhock southward along Bluebird.