Southwest Water Main Home Page

General Information Large water main construction involves digging a trench within right-of-way easements; placing pipe in the trench; and then restoring the impacted area. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities requires its contractors to limit the length of area disturbed by construction and to follow local and state noise and safety ordinances. Multiple crews are used to build large water main projects such as the Southwest Water Main to speed construction and minimize disruption in any one area. Careful attention is paid to protect adjacent private properties, traffic and the environment. Construction of the Southwest Water Main is expected to begin in March 2005 and continue through Spring 2007.

The 5.4-mile Southwest Water Main is a new large pipeline that will carry drinking water to the city's west side and improve overall operation of the water distribution network. It is a very large pipe - 72 inches (six feet) in diameter. The size and weight of each pipe segment requires special handling and large construction equipment. This heavy construction equipment and barriers delineating the work zone will remain in the work zone at night and on weekends when crews aren't working and will move with the zone as pipe installation progresses.

Construction zones will be well marked and no one is allowed in a construction zone without approval from the project manager and appropriate safety gear. Big pipes are not play equipment and should not be touched, walked through or on. For their safety, we appreciate your help in keeping individuals (young and old) and pets out of the construction zones and away from pipe segments placed on city easements.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation in ensuring the Southwest Water Main project is completed safely and on time.

Before Construction
Easements - Before construction can begin in an area, the city must have established right-of-way easements. This process began in 2002 and most property owners whose property will be directly affected by construction have been contacted. There are two types of easements: permanent and temporary construction.

* Permanent easements include the area where the water main is installed and where Utilities representatives access the pipe for operation and maintenance purposes after construction.

* Construction easements are temporary, providing needed space during construction. These areas revert back to property owner use after the project is complete.

More information about easement acquisition may be obtained from the City of Charlotte Engineering and Property Management Department, Real Estate Services Division or the City/County Customer Service and Information Center at 704-336-7600.

Utility poles - Before pipe installation begins, approximately 30 utility poles will be moved to make room for the new Southwest Water Main. In a handful of cases, the work may require trees to be trimmed or removed to make room for the new pole alignment and guy wire. Where additional easement is needed, property owners are being contacted by city representatives.

During Construction
Trees - The first signs of construction will include mobilization of equipment and materials to the project area and the removal of trees along sections of the project route. To minimize the length of disruption, tree removal is expected to progress in segments as contractors are ready to construct the pipeline.

Pipes - Pipe segments will be placed along the project route in advance of installation, but contractors will not be allowed to string pipe the entire length of the project at one time or block access to any properties.

Access - Access will be maintained to all properties during construction but in many cases will require the temporary removal of existing driveways so that pipe can be installed underneath. Property owners will be informed prior to planned driveway interruptions.

Individual Driveway/Service Interruptions - Due to the size of the pipe and close proximity of individual services such as water, natural gas and fiber optics, it may become necessary to temporarily interrupt service(s). If a service interruption is planned, project representatives will work with affected property owners in advance to limit the disruption this may cause. Unexpected service interruptions will be treated as an emergency and efforts will focus on restoring the service as quickly as possible.