Sandusky working on better water system for Cedar Point

SANDUSKY — No matter in the park or for homes situated nearby, Cedar Point workers want a constant, clean and dependable stream of water flowing into their amusement park.And, from a public health standpoint, so do Sandusky officials.During a recent public meeting, city commissioners supported a contract for a firm to design a safer, more efficient water main system.The figure totals $82,000, paid for with water funds, which doesn't include construction costs. They remain unknown at this time.The upcoming project piggybacks off a similar effort, completed in 2016, to sure up a pipe feeding into the water main system. Work occurred after a line servicing the Cedar Point Chaussee broke three times within a 19-month period.Among the more notable times: In June 2014, causing Cedar Point to shut down the entire park — Hotel Breakers, the campground, employee dormitories and the amusement park — for two weekend days."We have an obligation to provide a dependable and reliable source of water to our largest corporate customer and, in turn, the community," commissioner Dick Brady said. "This is good business and makes good business sense."Jane Cullen, the city's project engineer, provided some additional insight:• The situation: "There is an existing 16-inch water main from First Street to Cedar Point that is the main supply of potable water to Cedar Point and the residents along the Cedar Point Chaussee."• The issue: "Over the last several years, this existing water main has experienced multiple breaks along three different sections. The first section was successfully replaced on an emergency basis in 2016."• The project: "In an ongoing effort to provide a reliable source of potable water for Cedar Point and the residents along the chaussee, the city has selected (a firm) to provide design services for the improvement of two sections of the existing water main along the causeway."• The first phase: "The first design and construction project will be starting at the First Street and Cedar Point Causeway intersection and proceeding approximately 300 feet northerly. This project will involve removing older valves, sections of smaller mains and other potential problems at this location. This section of pipe experienced a break on a bypass line last winter. This construction is expected to be performed prior to Cedar Point opening in May 2018."• The second phase: "The second design and construction project will involve replacing the 12-inch water main on and in the vicinity of the high bridge on the causeway. This most recent water main break involved this section of pipe in 2016, but a second break occurred several years prior. This construction is expected to occur between November 2018 and prior to the park opening in May 2019."• The importance: "These efforts and the projects are critical are critical since the only backup supply loop is a smaller main connected to (Erie County's) water line on Cleveland Road outside the city. The main is not capable of supply the demand necessary for the residents and for continuing business operations during an emergency situation."Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.