Evansville advances water main and WWTP procurements ahead of July bid openings

Evansville advances water main and WWTP procurements ahead of July bid openingsThe Evansville Water and Sewer Utility Board has approved the advertisement of bids for the Morgan Avenue pipeline replacement and campus-wide HVAC modifications at the West Wastewater Treatment Plant, while also scheduling a July vote to finalize a utility solar project.

Bids for the Morgan Avenue and Bakey Road water main replacement—involving 500 linear feet of 12-inch pipe and a jack-and-bore crossing—will open on July 21.

The board authorized bidding for the West WWTP HVAC modifications to resolve pressurization issues across the facility's connected tunnel network.

A special meeting is scheduled for July 3 to grant final approval for a utility solar project, aligning with broader efforts to control rising electricity and chemical costs.

Commonwealth Engineers received a $68,700 contract amendment for additional US 41 and Lynch Road pipeline redesign work.

The Evansville Water and Sewer Utility (EWSU) Board approved the advertisement of two infrastructure contracts during its June 23 meeting, signaling a busy summer procurement schedule. Bids for both a water main replacement and a wastewater treatment plant upgrade are scheduled to open on July 21, 2026. On the water side, the board authorized bidding for the Morgan Avenue and Bakey Road water main replacement project. The project is being expedited ahead of upcoming Indiana Department of Transportation intersection and drainage improvements to avoid future construction conflicts. The scope includes replacing the existing infrastructure with approximately 500 linear feet of 12-inch water main and 60 linear feet of 6-inch water main, featuring a jack-and-bore installation under Morgan Avenue. On the wastewater side, the utility is advancing the West WWTP HVAC modification project. According to utility staff, the project stems from a fall 2024 study initially launched to address condensate dripping issues. The investigation revealed broader pressurization imbalances across the plant's campus, where multiple buildings are connected by a tunnel network. Park Deeds, which secured a design contract in spring 2025, developed the engineering solution that is now moving to the procurement phase. In related engineering news, the board approved a $68,700 amendment for Commonwealth Engineers for the US 41 and Lynch Road water main replacement project. The amendment covers redesign work prompted by property subparceling and additional state transport coordination, bringing the total design fee to $378,500. Looking ahead, EWSU Executive Director Vic Kelson announced a special meeting scheduled for July 3 to secure final approval for a planned utility solar project. Utility leadership noted that the solar deployment aligns with ongoing efforts to mitigate uncontrollable electricity and chemical expenses, details of which will be highlighted when the 2025 financial audit is presented later this summer.