City water system work underway

RITZVILLE – Revisions to the city's water distribution system got a later-than-expected start this summer, but the project is finally moving forward.

"The project includes about 5,000 feet of new water main and a dozen or so valve replacements at various intersections throughout town," contractor Ben Varela of Varela and Associates said during a March 7 City Council meeting,.

At that time, he estimated construction would start by early June at a final cost of $2-$2.5 million.

But the project didn't start in June.

Public Works Director Dave Breazeale and Varela had hashed out a design for the p...