IMPORTANT UPDATE NOTICE TO OUR WATER CUSTOMERS Hewlett, Janvier, and Megginson Avenues Water Main Replacement Project Update #3
C U S T O M E R N O T I C E
Project Update – The new water main tie-in work on Wilmington Road has been completed. All new water main work is now in service. The Contractor will begin Milling and Paving on Hewlett, Janvier, and Megginson Avenues on Monday, December 11th and plans to be completed by Friday, December 15th. During this time there will be No Parking on the roadway from 6:00am till 6:00pm while the contractor completes this road work. Please plan accordingly while this work gets completed.
Final topsoil, seeding, and strawing will be performed as the weather allows but may not be completed until the spring of 2024.
MSC respectfully requests your cooperation during this water main replacement project and regrets any inconvenience it may cause to our customers. Every effort possible will be taken to minimize disruption to our customers, however with a project of this size and complexity there will be temporary inconveniences that are unavoidable.
If you have a special need we should know about or give special consideration to, please contact Jay Guyer – Water Utility Manager or Ryan Jaeger – Water Utility Supervisor at 302-323-2333 or 302-323-2334 between 7:00am and 3:30pm, Monday through Friday.
Thank You.
NEWS RELEASE WATER METER REPLACEMENT
NEWS RELEASE
WATER METER REPLACEMENT
The Municipal Services Commission (MSC) is coming to the end of its electric and water meter replacement project. The batteries in the existing water meter communication modules have been failing. The meters still read accurately but it requires a manual read. Many customers have been providing the manual read each month but on other meters, staff has to visit the meter each month to get billing reads or estimate the read. This is a very time-consuming process for staff and an inconvenience to our customers. The new system will allow customers and staff to monitor usage to find leaks and help customers understand their usage for conservation purposes. There are a few customers that still have not scheduled their water meter replacement. Pursuant to MSC’s Tariff, customers are required to provide access to their premises to allow MSC and its agents to service our water meters. Three postcards were mailed to customers by MSC’s contractor, additionally, MSC mailed a letter via USPS, added messages on customers’ bills, hung door hangers at their premises, and sent several automated phone notifications. MSC having access to its equipment is a condition of service that customers agree to when they sign for service.
Regrettably, on Wednesday, November 8th, MSC opted to disconnect electric service to these unresponsive customers as State Law requires premises to maintain water service for sanitary reasons. MSC must notify the City Building and Health Departments when water service is disconnected as the customer is no longer allowed to occupy the property. MSC verified that none of the customers being disconnected had a medical form on file that would limit disconnection of service. When the customer schedules their meter replacement with our contractor then calls MSC with this information, services are restored. A majority of customers that were disconnected had scheduled an appointment and were reconnected the same day. MSC will continue taking steps towards disconnection of water service for non-compliant customers as needed. If you have not scheduled your meter replacement, please contact MSC’s contractor Pro Meters, Inc. at 1-866-965-0658 then contact MSC when your meter replacement is scheduled to have services restored.
Contact: Scott Blomquist
Phone: 302-323-2330
E-mail: sblomquist@newcastlemsc.delaware.gov
URGENT NOTICE – ELECTRIC SERVICES WERE DISCONNECTED TO CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE NOT SCHEDULED WATER METER REPLACEMENT
On Wednesday, November 8, 2023 MSC began disconnecting services to customers who have not scheduled to have their water meters replaced.
Pursuant to the tariff of the MSC, customers are required to provide access to their water meters to the MSC and its agents. Three postcards were mailed by MSC’s contractor, additionally, MSC sent a letter via USPS and several automated phone notifications.
Affected customers must call 1-866-965-0658 to schedule an appointment between the hours of 8:30 am and 7:30 pm Monday-Thursday, 8:00 am and 6:30 pm on Fridays or Saturday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Once an appointment has been scheduled, the customer can call MSC’s main line and speak with a customer service representative, or reach the on call phone and leave a message. If MSC is able to verify an appointment has been scheduled, services will be restored.
Services will not be restored until the customer has made an appointment. If a customer cancels an appointment or is a no show, services will be disconnected until the meter replacement is able to be performed during MSC’s normal operating hours.
IMPORTANT UPDATE NOTICE FOR WATER CUSTOMERS ON HEWLETT, JANVIER, AND MEGGINSON AVENUES
IMPORTANT UPDATE NOTICE TO OUR WATER CUSTOMERS
Hewlett, Janvier, and Megginson Avenues
Water Main Replacement Project Update #1
Project Description – Municipal Services Commission has awarded the water main replacement project to R.E. Pierson Construction Company who mobilized to the site on October 16th to begin the water main replacement project. The project includes replacement of approximately 1,800 linear feet of main within Janvier, Hewlett, and Megginson Avenues, installation of 3 new fire hydrants, and 32 water services being replaced from the main to the curb stop valves.
Work Schedule – The Contractors work schedule has been 4 – 10 Hour days per week or Monday through Thursday 6:00am to 5:00pm. Fridays and Weekends are used to make up for rain days the Contractor is unable to work. MSC and our Consulting Engineer have been on-site performing observing and inspecting the work being performed by the contractor to ensure it meets MSC Standards.
When making the final main tie-ins on Wilmington Road, Del DOT is requiring the contractor to perform this work during the over-night hours to meet safety and traffic control requirements. You will receive advance notice from MSC of the next scheduled over-night work scheduled so you can plan accordingly.
Project Update – The water main has been installed and the contractor is working to get it placed in service. Once in service, the contractor will begin the process of transferring customer’s services from the old main to the new main which is estimated to take 2 weeks. During the individual service transfers, you may experience a short, temporary interruption of water supply to your home however this is only temporary.
Water Service Interruptions – MSC and the Contractor will provide advanced notice of any planned water service interruptions. Due to unforeseen complications, both planned and / or unplanned outages may occur during the project. Every effort will be made to minimize the duration of these outages.
Property Access – The Contractor is making every effort to maintain customer access to their driveway entrances and property. City trash, recycling, and yard waste pickup have not been affected by the project. Mail and package delivery has not been impacted by the project.
Road and Property Restoration – The Contractor will perform temporary roadway and yard restoration during the course of the project and at the end of the project final paving and roadway restoration will be performed. Steel Plates may still be used throughout the duration of the project to cover open excavations.
Project Value and Goal – This $1.5 MM water main replacement project is being funded by a State of Delaware Drinking Water State Revolving Loan. MSC applied for and was awarded the loan with full principle forgiveness. The goal of this water main replacement project is to remove lead-joint pipe improving water quality, improve system hydraulics and fire protection, and reduce water loss due to frequent flushing.
MSC respectfully requests your cooperation during this water main replacement project and regrets any inconvenience it may cause to our customers. Every effort possible will be taken to minimize disruption to our customers, however with a project of this size and complexity there will be temporary inconveniences that are unavoidable.
If you have a special need we should know about or give special consideration to, please contact Jay Guyer – Water Utility Manager or Ryan Jaeger – Water Utility Supervisor at 302-323-2333 or 302-323-2334 between 7:00am and 3:30pm, Monday through Friday.
Thank You.
10-24-2023 MSC OFFICES ARE OPEN OUR TELEPHONES AND INTERNET ARE DOWN
10-24-2023 MSC OFFICES ARE OPEN BUT OUR INTERNET AND TELEPHONES ARE DOWN
FOR SALE: 1995 INGERSOLL RAND MODEL 780T PAVING MACHINE
MSC is accepting sealed bids for a 1995 Ingersoll Rand Model 780T Paving Machine.
Interested parties may contact Dave Bennett at dbennet@newcastlemsc.delaware.gov to schedule a time to inspect the paving machine.
Sealed bids must be received by 1:00 pm on September 15, 2023 at the Commission’s Administrative Offices at 216 Chestnut Street, New Castle DE 19720.
N O T I C E Municipal Services Commission 2023 Annual Hydrant Flushing Program
N O T I C E
Municipal Services Commission
2023 Annual Hydrant Flushing Program
The Municipal Services Commission Water Department will begin our annual Fire Hydrant Flushing Program on Monday, June 19th. Flushing will begin at 7:30am and end at 3:00pm Monday through Friday taking approximately 10 business days to complete. Our Hydrant Flushing Program is important to our water system and is an integral part of our goal to deliver the safest and highest quality water possible. Additionally, it ensures fire protection is available by testing the operation of our hydrants.
The Municipal Services Commission schedules our flushing program when demands are lower using a carefully planned route to control the direction of flow with in the distribution system. Customers should not experience service interruptions during the flushing process.
The flushing process may cause some temporary water discoloration. There is no health hazard associated with the discolored water. If you notice discolored water, run several cold water taps at the same time until the water is clear. Avoid using your cold or hot water and doing laundry until you are certain the water is clear.
The Municipal Services Commission urges all residents to exercise caution while traveling around the hydrant flushing crews as water may accumulate in the flushing area.
Your understanding and cooperation during this process is appreciated. If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact the Municipal Services Commission Water Department at 302-323-2333 between 7:00am and 3:30pm Monday through Friday.
MSC ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2023 @ 10:30 AM & FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2023 @ 11:30AM.
The Municipal Services Commission Administrative Office will be closed Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 10:30am and Friday, April 028, 2023 at 11:30am. We will resume regular business hours on Monday, May 01, 2023. Thank you.
MSC OFFICE IS OPEN – INTERNET AND PHONE LINES ARE DOWN
The MSC offices are open, we are currently experiencing down phones lines and internet service
US EPA proposal to add the East Basin Road Groundwater Site in New Castle to their Superfund National Priorities list
Attached is a press release from the MSC and fact sheet from the US EPA regarding the US EPA proposal to add the East Basin Road Groundwater Site in New Castle to their Superfund National Priorities list. These will be mailed to MSC customers.
Press Release – Proposal to Add East Basin Road Groundwater Site to EPA NPL 9-9-2022