(Lawrenceville, Ga., July 19, 2011) - Twelve miles of aging water mains in 15 different subdivisions and along key sections of residential roads in and around Snellville, Lilburn, Norcross, Hoschton and Sugar Hill and over a mile of old, frequently clogged sewer lines in Lawrenceville will be replaced under contracts approved Tuesday by the Gwinnett Board of Commissioners.

Computerized management and maintenance systems track break history and repair costs to help the Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources decide which water line replacements would be most cost effective. A similar system is used for sewers with a focus on preventing future environmental impacts.

John D. Stephens, Inc., of Lawrenceville was the low bidder at $933,102 to run new eight-inch ductile iron water lines within the Trotters Pointe, Valley Brook, Cumberland Forest and Windsor Estates subdivisions.

GS Construction, Inc., of Lawrenceville was the low bidder on two similar water main projects. Streets affected include work along Sudderth Road, Mineral Springs Road and within the Quail Hollow East, Glynn Mill, Chattahoochee Station, Marcelle Heights, Kings Lea and Pine Pavilion Estates subdivisions. Total bid for both projects was just under $2 million.

Kemi Construction, Inc., was the low bidder at under $1.5 million to install new water lines within the Smoke Rise, Timber Trace, McCart Estates, Danbury  and Lockridge Forest subdivisions. 

The Ezzard Road sewer project will replace approximately 3,500 feet of deteriorated eight and 10-inch pipe and install 5,450 feet of 16-inch and 18-inch ductile iron gravity sewer pipe. The project also includes decommissioning two sewage pump stations that will no longer be needed. "We like to see this happen whenever pump stations have reached the end of their life cycles, in order to help mitigate the rising costs associated with maintaining these systems," Deputy Operations Director Tyler Richards said. John D. Stephens, Inc. was the low bidder at about $1.2 million.

Water Resources Field Operations Director Jeff Boss said residents in the affected areas will get more information on anticipated shutdowns from the department soon. The projects are expected to be completed within a year.