By Will Pafford, Staff Writer

A water project in Rollingwood was approved based on newly adopted priority factors for proposed improvements to the water system during the Rollingwood City Council meeting June 17. 

The Coucil approved the installation of a six-inch water line along Pickwick Lane, between Inwood and Riley roads, as well as six factors to consider when prioritizing water projects for the city. 

Utility Commission member Susan Bryant said the commission recommended weighting projects based on sequential factors: deterioration of lines, access to fire hydrants, estimated water pressure, estimated flow of water to residents, substandard condition or materials and above-ground exposure of water lines. 

She said the commission also favored loop lines over dead-end water lines. 

For the estimated flow of water, Bryant said the commission recommended using models that are based on the improvement of the Edgegrove water line and installation of pressure-reducing valves, two projects that are currently underway. 

The project on Pickwick Lane meets five out of six of those factors, and the utility commission has heard concerns from residents in that area, Bryant said.

“This does not mean we intend to ignore other projects,” she said. 

When forming the priority factors, Bryant said the commission wanted to include fire protection. 

“We wanted to ensure fire protection was a high priority,” she said. 

Alderman Brian Nalle questioned why the commission chose to use models instead of measuring the pressure and flow at different houses. 

Bryant said the pressure will change after the pressure-reducing valves and Edgegrove line are completed. 

Nalle said he worried about the accuracy of the model from house to house. 

Resident and former mayor Thom Farrell said although access to fire hydrants is a priority, the factors should include fire-flow to those hydrants. 

All residents could save on insurance rates if the flow to fire hydrants is improved, he said. 

Hinton said the Council should adopt the factors the commission recommended and the commission to review the flow to fire hydrants to see if it should be a separate priority factor. 

The motion passed unanimously. 

Hinton also formed a subcommittee of himself, Alderman Bill Hamilton, Alderwoman Roxanne McKee, a representative from city engineers Bleyl & Associates, and Mayor Dale Dingley to oversee the    projects as it moves forward.