The behind-schedule East Langley Water Project is finally close to completion, according to Langley Township senior staff.
“We’re looking at days instead of weeks or months,” said Ramin Seifi, general manager of engineering for the Township.
The pipeline is to connect Aldergrove and Gloucester to Metro Vancouver’s water supply, freeing the system there from depending on numerous local wells.
Work was originally scheduled to be finished by the summer of 2014.
Seifi said that one small section of pipe, in the area around 248th Street, is still undergoing pressure testing.
Once that is done, there will be a disinfection process as the pipeline is flushed with chlorinated water.
The exact day of the system being activated depends on how quickly the pressure testing goes, Seifi said.
The system has been plagued with delays, including seal failures on pipes in 2014, a and WorkSafe BC inquiry about whether workers crawling into the 60 centimetre (two foot) pipes was too dangerous.
In 2015, leaking joints required that some pipes be replaced, and there were major issues east of 248th Street.
Local residents have had issues at several stages of the process, both about the environment where the pipe crossed creeks, and about the length of time contractors were working on private property.
Because the Township agreed on a set price with the contractor at the start of the project, it is not anticipated that he delays will increase the cost to the municipality.
