Council approves first water project payment

RITZVILLE – At its first meeting in September, the City Council unanimously approved POW Contracting’s first payment for its work on the city water distribution system.

The payment will be an estimated $633,455 — roughly a third of the original contract price of $1,714,230. It covers project materials, most of which are now onsite.

The pay estimate also included mobilization, administration and “potholing” existing water mains.

“Potholing” involves placing a small hole in the ground through a process called vacuum excavation. Once the hole is deep enough, a construction or inspection crew can...