City begins Chesnutt waterline replacement

By Everett Brazil, III

The Newkirk Herald Journal

NEWKIRK — The city of Newkirk is finally addressing water issues along Chestnut Street as work to replace the ailing waterline has begun, starting with the 200 Black of North Chestnut, in front of Glass Trucking.

Work began Thursday, Oct. 14 and is contracted to D. Owen Construction, Norman, Okla. The project is being funded by a REAP grant through the Northern Oklahoma Development Authority for up to $100,000, although the city of Newkirk is required to fund up to 20 percent of the project.

The city of Newkirk has been addressing the problem for a while due to major problems with the line.

“We’ve had a lot of issues, a lot of leaks,” said City Manager Ryan Smykil. “It’s an old cast iron line, and it is old enough that it is falling apart, and it definitely needs to be replaced.”

The city will contribute to the project with the replacement of about seven meters, he said.

The project will eventually replace the entire line in future projects.

“Eventually, we’ll replace First – Ninth streets, but right now, we’re replacing the most severe block. A lot of it depends on funding,” Smykil said.