Phase 2 of the Grand Avenue Water main project will involve replacing an ageing 6 inch diameter water main with a new 12 inch main, increasing system reliability by reducing the incidence of water main breaks.

While the western section of the main will be installed using conventional methods, the eastern half will be installed using HDD.

The $US1.2 million project is being funded by a low-interest loan and $US650,000 in federal stimulus funds. Construction started in late March, and is expected to be completed by the end of August.

Phase 1 of the project, which involved replacing other sections of the 55 year-old water main, was completed in 2009.