CARLSBORG — Clallam County Public Utility District commissioners have authorized an emergency repair for a water main break that occurred Oct. 13 along Carlsborg Road.
The “fairly large” break damaged the parking lot near Gabbys Java and Gourmet Grub at 471 Business Park Loop, Water Superintendent Tom Martin told commissioners Monday.
The emergency declaration waived the formal bidding requirements for excavation and asphalt repair at the corner of Carlsborg Road and Business Park Loop.
“Our crews responded rapidly to isolate the leak and stop the draining of the reservoir, but all that water that did leak out of the break ended up flowing into the neighboring property right by Gabbys and caused a lot of ponding and sediment deposit on the parking lot after it drained,” Martin told PUD commissioners.
“So we had to move fast, and the best way we could repair this main break with a 10-inch PVC line was to go to a local contractor in Carlsborg and have him help us out. I had to make that decision on the fly.”
Lakeside Industries of Port Angeles and C&J Excavation of Carlsborg were brought in soon after the break to perform the emergency repairs, Martin said.
“We don’t know the cost yet as we have not been invoiced by the excavating company,” district spokeswoman Nicole Clark said in a Tuesday email.
“Then there will be other asphalt, materials and labor, none of which have been tallied yet.”
Martin said the break was likely caused by shifting boulders.
“There’s a lot of cobbles and boulders in the Carlsborg area, and the ground is constantly shifting around,” Martin said in response to Commissioner David Anderson’s query.
“This is just a problem area for pipes.”
In other board action, district commissioners Monday accepted the completion of a $380,878 contract to replace the floating cover and liner for the Gales Addition Reservoir east of Port Angeles. Layfield USA Corporation of Kent performed the work.
The PUD board approved a $570,000 revenue bond from First Federal of Port Angeles in April 2019 to finance the reservoir cover replacement and other capital improvements.
A consultant had previously determined that the Gales Addition Reservoir structure would last for another 50 years, PUD General Manager Doug Nass said.
“The cover will be used and be a very worthwhile investment,” Nass said.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
