West Memphis tackling sinkhole situation

West Memphis tackling sinkhole situation

Council approves spending for repairs to city storm drain system

news@theeveningtimes.com

The West Memphis City Council will be pouring $84,000 into sinkholes in the southwest part of the city.

At its July 5 meeting, the council authorized spending the funds to repair the problem. Leaking stormwater drainage piping has undercut driveways and road pavement and caused slumps in yards in a portion of the Richland subdivision. City Engineer Amanda Hicks outlined the area for city council and provided justification for the repair’s expense.

“We have at least 15 stormwater repairs in the Richland fifth addition phase two area,” said Hicks, “Kingsway, Oakdale, and Camelot area, east of Clement and south of Barton. It was built all at one time. Sinkholes are appearing across property lines. Fences have fallen; driveways have been replaced. What we’ve done in the past is put grout in the ground.”

This time the fix focused on resealing storm water pipes to limit undercutting and stop the flow producing the sinkholes. The pipes are two to three stories underground. With damaged fences and drives, Hicks wanted to stem the flow.

“These pipes are 20 to 30 feet deep,” said Hicks. “Before any of our citizens experience lost or damaged property, we would like to make repairs.”

Councilman James Pulliaum wanted to know how the repair spots were determined.

“We had somebody that TV’d the pipes in April and determined the sites that needed fixed,” replied Hicks. “They gave us a cost estimate. As they make repairs they will TV it again, and give it to us.“ The video survey revealed that pipes are intact but certain joints are leaking.

“Since that whole area was built about the same time, it probably wasn’t sealed correctly” said Hicks. “So, 30 years after we are seeing sinkholes come up from 30 feet deep.”

Pulliaum said the sinkhole problem was widespread and wanted pipes scoped out on a planned basis moving forward.

“You have the camera to look and I think we need to set up a program in the new budget year to look at this as we go,” said Pulliaum.

“We have a problem pretty much all over and we need to move forward on it.”

Work in the subdivision was approved to start as soon as possible. City council passed the ordinance in just one meeting, waiving procedure and hearing the ordinance read three times, as well as affirming the emergency clause section in an additional vote to expedite the process.

By John Rech