BROADALBIN - Construction began this week to install a water main and connections to houses on Union Mills Road where wells have been contaminated.
For 10 years, some residents on the town road have had to deal with tainted drinking water, damaged hot water heaters and corroded pipes because of salt contamination in their wells.
CFI Construction of Johnstown, the town-contracted company for the project, started installing pipe Tuesday and laid about 280 feet of the 8-inch plastic main pipe as of Wednesday.
Site superintendent Jeff Sargalis said the project would require about 4,500 feet of main line pipe and "thousands of feet" for the laterals, the 1- to 2-inch pipes that run off the main to the houses.
He said some of the laterals were more than 600 feet long.
Sargalis estimated that in "a couple of weeks," the homes closest to the town-village line would have water service.
A decade ago, town officials discovered road salt from the town's storage shed had contaminated the wells that were between the county transfer station and the village of Broadalbin.
After years of discussion, the town and village decided to extend the village water main from Union Street in the village to the residents of Union Mills Road with salty water wells. About 22 homes were affected.
The project will cost $394,935, officials said. Residents won't have to pay anything for the installations.
Town Supervisor Joseph DiGiacomo said earlier this month the town is paying for the construction materials and five years' worth of water, up to 15,000 gallons per six-month period. Residents will pay for the water after that time. They will pay twice the village rate.
He said he expects the project will be completed around Oct. 6.
