Saratoga Springs Department of Public Works Releases Water Main Replacement Plan
Department of Public Works Commissioner BK Keramati recently released a six-year water main replacement plan for the City of Saratoga Springs. The plan outlines the replacement of undersized four and six-inch water mains with New York State Department of Health recommended eight-inch mains. In the time period from 2026 to 2033, 14,781 linear feet (LF) of water main is scheduled for replacement.
“This plan represents a thoughtful effort to improve the City’s water distribution system and improve the quality of water delivered to homes,” said Keramati. “Four and six-inch water mains are subject to compound buildup within the pipes called tuberculation, when this happens it decreases the size of the diameter impairing water flow.”
Upsizing the water main on Clinton Street is underway with anticipated completion in the fall of 2026. The approved contract price for the replacement of 2,703 LF was $1,401,248 and is funded by the water capital budget through fees collected from water customers. Each year of the proposed plan represents an anticipated $1,500,000 to $2,000,000 investment into the distribution system. Although typically funded solely through capital funds, Keramati outlined a plan by the department to aggressively seek grant funding to reduce the expense for customers.
“Grants will offset costs and also allow the department to plan more work to be completed each year without substantial increases in capital fees to customers,” said Keramati. “With over 106,000 LF of four-inch water main in the City we have a lot of work to complete that will be expensive.”
The multi-year program was developed by the Assistant City Engineer Matt Zeno and City Engineer James Salaway, based primarily on a water study and knowledge of water mains throughout the City.
“I want to thank and recognize our engineering team for their efforts putting this together, now it’s our job to implement the plan on behalf of our water customers,” said Keramati.