Water Authority and South Peak Work To Improve Water Infrastructure

New pipeline and removal of water tower will improve water services

Demolition begins on the old water tower atop South Peak in Roanoke County.
Demolition begins on the old water tower atop South Peak in Roanoke County.

The Western Virginia Water Authority and South Peak have embarked on phase one of a two-phase project to improve the water infrastructure in Roanoke City and Roanoke County.  When the project is complete in two years, residents in the area will see improved flow from fire hydrants and the region’s water infrastructure will be more robust.

“We want to capitalize on the development work being done in the community to improve our overall water infrastructure,” said Gary Robertson, Executive Director of Water Operations for the Western Virginia Water Authority. “This arrangement with South Peak lets us take advantage of their work to improve the water system for residents and businesses in South Roanoke and Roanoke County, and ultimately the region as a whole.”

South Peak’s master plan includes several condominium buildings on the top of the mountain where a visible water tower currently stands.  Developer Smith/Packett, which is building South Peak, and the Water Authority worked together to find a solution to meet both the community’s and South Peak’s needs.

“We wanted to make sure that the new water infrastructure we were building would meet the community’s needs and our own,” said Jim Smith, CEO of Smith/Packett. “It really turned out to be a win-win situation; I’m glad that our work could help improve the water system for the surrounding community.”

Phase one began in June 2011 and involved laying a new water pipeline from the Franklin Road area to the South Peak property, and dismantling the water tower that is situated at South Peak.

The water tower had originally provided drinking water storage and necessary pressure for fire protection to support Tanglewood Mall and the surrounding business community.  The newly laid pipeline, which began testing in mid-July, will now service that need.  The water  tower will be dismantled and recycled by South Peak starting Thursday.  The land where the water tower currently stands will be used to build the second condominium building at South Peak, beginning this fall.

Phase two of the infrastructure project, which has been made possible by a $2 million bond secured by South Peak, will interconnect the Carvins Cove, Spring Hollow and Crystal Spring water supplies through new water lines along Buck Mountain and Franklin Roads.  This connection will improve the redundancy of the water system in the region and will be completed by the summer of 2015.

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