Watermain & Lead Service Replacements Bring Safe Drinking Water to Inkster, MI Residents
CITY OF INKSTER, MI—Residents of Inkster, Michigan, now have access to safe, reliable drinking water thanks to the transformative Section 5 & 22: Watermain & Lead Service Replacements project. In order to modernize the City of Inkster’s aging water system, the city partnered with Benesch to replace deteriorating infrastructure and eliminate many lead service lines to ensure a safe and sustainable water supply for community members.
The project involved installing roughly 7,500 feet of new 8- and 12-inch water mains to replace undersized and deteriorating 2- and 4-inch mains. A key focus of the project was identifying and replacing lead water services to ensure safe drinking water for residents. In total, 13 lead services were replaced throughout the project. Benesch assisted the city in securing grants to fund the project, developed detailed contract documents and specifications, and provided comprehensive construction, engineering and inspection services.
Value engineering methods played a significant role in the project’s success. Initially planned for open-cut construction, which involves extensive excavation and restoration, the project team identified an opportunity for innovative trenchless techniques such as pipe bursting and horizontal directional drilling. These methods saved considerable time and money while minimizing disruption to the community.
“By opting for pipe bursting, we were able to mitigate any major utility conflicts or potential watermain breaks,” said Project Manager Dan Guastella. “This approach eliminated the need for residents to be placed on a temporary watermain, which protected landscaping, preserved most driveways and allowed residents to access to their homes during construction.”
The use of trenchless technology allowed for smaller launching and receiving pits, enabling targeted excavations at service points. This approach preserved the natural landscape, minimized environmental disruption and maintained the area’s ecological balance. Additionally, by avoiding long continuous stretches for watermain installations, the project team protected storm sewers, lakes and streams from excess sedimentation, mitigating potential environmental degradation.
The project team faced significant challenges due to existing utilities that were either in poor condition, unknown, or mislocated. Despite the poor record data regarding service line materials, the project team efficiently removed all known and newly discovered lead, galvanized and non-standard services as the project advanced without causing significant delays or incurring additional costs.
The project was honored with the APWA Downriver Michigan Chapter Project of the Year Award in the Environment category for projects costing $1M to $5M. The award was presented at the 2024 Downriver Branch Holiday Luncheon on December 5, recognizing the project’s innovation, sustainability and positive community impact. As the project advances to compete at the state level, it continues to serve as a model for future infrastructure improvements.
