Hedley residents eye water improvements

By Jackie Boyd

The City of Hedley has received a grant for water system improvement. The grant of $247,695 was made available through the Texas Community Development Program.

The goal of the project is to remove the old lines and replace them with new and even larger lines in some areas.

According to Randy Shaw, Hed-ley City Secretary, some of the lines currently being used have been there since 1927 and are in major need of replacement.

“Our biggest concern right now is to get rid of the lead seals and lead lines that are currently being used,” said Shaw.

Some of the main lines are a cast-iron pipe with a lead seal connecting them, and most of the service lines to houses are lead lines as well. There are also some problems with leakage in the lines.

Approximately 1,350 feet of four inch PVC pipe, 7,900 feet of six inch PVC pipe, 1,080 feet of eight inch pipe, and 3,100 feet of three-quarter inch service tubing will be replaced.
In addition to the replacement of the lines, three new fire hydrants will be added. Shaw said a major advantage to adding the fire hydrants will be the improvement of Hedley’s fire fighting abilities.

The project is slated to start in the spring of 2001 and will last approximately three months. The work will include most sections of town with 115 residents benefiting.

Shaw hopes the improvements made to the lines will improve water quality and service to the customers.

In a press release, Senator Phil Gramm expressed his enthusiasm about towns in Texas receiving Community Development Block Grants.

“I am pleased that some of the tax dollars sent by Texans to Washington are being returned to benefit area citizens by financing improvements to the areas where we work and live every day,” Gramm said.

“My strong commitment is to assure a fair return to Texas taxpayers on the money we pay in federal taxes,” the senator said.

The Community Development Block Grant program, one of HUD’s largest, is designed to assist communities in carrying out a wide range of development activities aimed at neighborhood revitalization, economic development and improved community facilities and services.

Gramm is chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, which has authority over the CDBG program.