Questions Raised Regarding Monrovia’s Water Mains

By Susan Motander

The Monrovia City Council discussed an item that would normally have been on its consent calendar at Tuesday’s regular council meeting. The matter, the payment of a bill for emergency repairs done to a broken water main on Canyon Blvd., would normally have been voted on without discussion along with other routine items such as payroll. In the matter of this repair, Council Member Tom Adams requested a discussion of the issue.
Acting Director of Public Works Tina Cherry reported that on Jan. 12 of this year a city employee noticed a water leak on Canyon at Foothill Boulevard. Subsequent investigation revealed a leak in the water main which required specialized tools and personnel (i.e. adapters and a welder). Since the repairs were urgent, they were effected without the matter going out to a competitive bid.
Adams asked the age of the pipe in question. The 18” water main involved was installed in 1949; however, it was connected to lines installed in 1907. Asked the life expectancy of such pipes, Adams was told they were usually expected to last 50 years. Adams pointed out the city had really gotten its money’s worth on the pipes which had lasted 108 years, more than twice their anticipated life expectancy.
At Adam’s urging the Council had previously requested a status report on the condition of all the city’s water lines. At Tuesday’s meeting, Adams made an additional request: a report on the recent rash of leaks in the city.

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