Wastewater Improvement Update
November 7th, 2023
As you may have noticed, construction has begun on the wastewater system for Fort Smith. We are excited to see the hard work the District Board has put into this project coming to life. The project is beginning on the Yellowtail side of the highway. There are currently two crews putting in new sewer mains and tying in property services as they go. They have temporarily tied into the old lagoon until the new lagoon is operational. After completion of the Yellowtail side, work will begin on the Fort Smith side of the highway. There is also another contractor that will begin work at the lagoon sight the week of November 6th.
While this progress is exciting to see, we do ask that you keep your distance from the crews as they are working. The limited space in the alleys makes excavating difficult and the equipment operators need to focus their attention on structures and crew members, and not public bystanders. Thank you for understanding. I also would ask that you be patient with the equipment operators as they move in and out of the alleyways.
November 15th, 2023
Excavating has begun on the 40-acre lagoon site this week. We had a monitor from the Historical and Preservation Department of the Crow Tribe overseeing the disturbance of the top layer of soil. They were watching for any historical artifacts that may have been unearthed in the area. Work installing sewer mains has moved to the north side of town as well this week.
January 15th, 2024
Dirt work at the new lagoon site is complete, and Prospect Construction will begin installing the force main that will run from the lift station to the lagoon. Western Municipal is continuing to install sewer mains on the Fort Smith side of town. The septic system will continue to be used until the completion of the lagoon at which time the railcars will be cleaned and put out of service. There may be sewer smell issues near the north end of the alleys near the railcars, but the smell will go away once they are no longer in use. The District will be placing caps on all sewer vents (green poles located near the alleys) to control odor issues and to aid in keeping foreign objects from entering the new system. If you wish to remove the vent pipes, please contact Josh or Todd with the District.
February 9th, 2024
At this point, all sewer mains have been installed on the Fort Smith side of town and all in-use services have been connected. The force main is also installed and waiting to be pressure tested. The alleys will be restored as spring gets closer. Work will resume on the Yellowtail side of town on February 12th installing the last main that runs in the alley between 1st and 2nd streets. Once this main line is in place Wester Municipal will request a shutdown period until Prospect Construction has the new lagoon and lift station operational. The lagoon is waiting for the liner to be installed which needs to be done in warmer weather. This should begin in the spring.
The new sewer mains are being jetted and videoed for documentation of the location of services and to inspect the line. During the jetting process, water may be sucked out of toilets and p-traps in customers homes. If you find your toilets empty, simply flush them and run water in the sink to fill the taps with water. It is possible that sewer gases from the main can enter the home due to the p-traps being dry so be sure to check your home to ensure that there is water in your traps.
Thank you again,
Josh McCraw
Water/Wastewater Operator
Fort Smith Water Sewer District
