Calhoun officials say they have identified the obstruction contributing to drainage issues along Court Street and have outlined the next steps to improve water flow through the storm drainage system.
In an update following Tuesday’s city work session, Calhoun City Councilman Bruce Potts said the city received new information about the 8-inch pipe discovered inside the culvert during cleanup efforts last week.
According to Potts, a review of city records by the Sewer Department determined the pipe is not an active water main, as initially believed, but instead a dormant sewer line. Potts said the original assessment was based on digital mapping, where the water and sewer lines appear to run parallel.
Further investigation revealed the active sewer line and water line were rerouted years ago when the culvert was constructed, leaving the old sewer line abandoned in place.
Potts said the culvert project was completed by a contractor that is no longer in business. He noted that the city now has its own crews capable of installing and repairing water and sewer lines, allowing the work to be handled in-house.
The city plans to use a hydraulic saw to cut through the abandoned sewer line and seal the dormant openings. While Potts said the repair will not completely solve the flooding concerns in the area, he described it as “a great start” that should allow the culvert to flow freely.
Potts also recognized the city employees and emergency personnel who assisted with diagnosing the problem and clearing the drainage system, including members of the Street Department, Sewer Department, Station 1 of the Calhoun Fire Department, and several additional city employees.
The update comes after crews spent several days removing debris from the storm drain system and investigating the cause of flooding near Court Street and Harkin Street. Officials say additional work will be needed, but identifying the abandoned sewer line provides a clearer path toward improving drainage in the area.