Replacement of aging cast iron lines in the city of Picayune has led to a major reduction in natural gas losses.
At the end of Tuesday’s Picayune City Council meeting, Councilor Wayne Gouguet asked Public Works Director Eric Morris to provide an update on the project that replaced old cast iron natural gas lines throughout the city.
Morris said that by the end of 2014 the city was recording a natural gas unaccounted rate of 33 percent. As work progressed to replace those lines, that amount declined to 20 percent by the end of 2015.
Now that the project is mostly complete, the city is recording an unaccounted percentage of 8.8.
“That’s a pretty significant accomplishment to get to the single digits,” Morris said.
City Clerk Amber Hinton said the work has led to a savings of about $300,000 over that three-year time period, which was passed on to city residents.
More work is planned. It will be paid for with $500,000 in remaining funds from the project, Morris said. Their first order of business will be to renovate the master meter station along Kendrick Lane off of Beech Street. If funds remain after that work is complete, then city officials will begin looking at lines up Highway 43 N to Global Lane and also down Inside Road and Liberty Road.
Morris said that the Public Service Commission mandates all municipalities inspect their natural gas lines annually.
Another matter discussed during Tuesday’s meeting involved the possible purchase of land by the city. Morris suggested the city decline the offer to purchase the property, located east of the Palestine Cemetery addition, since the cost was too high and the city already owns property south of the current cemetery, providing ample room for additional plots. The Council approved a motion to decline purchasing the property.
The council also approved a motion to advertise for bids to begin work on the amphitheater and lighted walking track at Crosby Commons. City Engineer Vernon Moore said the next step is to wait for approval from the Mississippi Department of Transportation to apply for bids. MDOT provided grant funding to conduct the work. Once bids are received, work will begin. Moore said the work should be complete by November at the latest.
In another matter, the Council approved a motion to apply for the 2015 Public Facilities Water Distribution Project, which is a 50/50 match grant that could allow the city to conduct water system improvements along Davis Street, Herrin Drive and Weems Street. If approved, those funds will replace water mains that are too small and water pipes that contain asbestos, Moore said.
The next Council meeting will be June 21 at 5 p.m. in City Hall.