Bowie council approves $68,640 to install temporary Rayburn Street water line after repeated breaks

Council authorized $68,640 from the city's infrastructure fund to install a temporary water line on Rayburn Street after contractors repeatedly broke the existing buried line during sewer work.

Tony (city speaker) described the issue: the sewer work had caused three breaks in the water line serving about 15 houses, so staff and a contractor proposed installing a temporary above-ground line while sewer repairs continue. He presented the estimate: a contractor bid $52,640 and supplies totaled about $16,000, for a $68,640 request. Tony said, "So I ask for y'all to approve $68,640 out of the infrastructure fund to pay these contractors to lay that loan." He added the run would be about 1,720 feet, roughly $40 per foot.

Council moved, seconded and approved the expenditure on a unanimous vote. Council members said they had seen video of the problem and agreed that completing a temporary line while work continues would prevent further interruptions for affected residents.

Staff will direct the contractor to install the temporary line and will coordinate restoration when permanent water-line work is complete.