Despite all the recent rain, Newton’s Water Distribution crew has been making good progress on installing approximately 2,300 feet of new 8-inch water main on the city’s westside. The $1.2 million main will provide enough water pressure for the fire sprinkler system in the new Westwood Golf Course Clubhouse.

Newton Fire Chief Jarrod Wellik granted the city a variance, allowing the clubhouse to be open without an operating automatic fire suppression system, but the variance stipulates that occupancy can not exceed 99 people. The discovery that the present main was undersized and insufficient for the sprinkler system came as a surprise, but Newton Mayor Evelyn George says adding the cost of the new eight-inch water main to the city’s bonding isn’t impacting anyone’s property taxes.

“This will not increase the debt service levy.  And it will improve the water service to Lambs Grove and Bittersweet Acres, who are also customers of ours.

Newton City staff note that this project includes four fire hydrants, six service connections, and multiple isolation valves. The new main extends from West 28th Street South, through a private lane that requires a public utility easement, and continues through wooded areas and across the Westwood Golf Course property. In addition to meeting the fire protection needs of the new clubhouse, City Administrator Matt Muckler says the project establishes a vital loop connection to County Highway F-48 West and will significantly improve water quality while enhancing volume, flow rate, and pressure for customers in the area.