By Chris Hagan
Review Staff Writer
Residents living in the Northeast section of Orion Township will soon have added fire protection.
The Public Works Department has developed plans to extend and connect the water mains in the Northeast quadrant of the township. The project, estimated to cost $4.69 million, is currently in the beginning stages as OHM engineers are surveying the route.
‘It’s part of a long range plan to completely loop our water system throughout all parts of the township,? said Public Works Director Bill Ireland. ‘This will connect the Northeast part of the township to our water supply.?
After OHM finishes their land surveys, the firm will develop plans and the township will submit those to the state for review and approval. The route would extend the water lines at Schorn and Miller Road east to Conklin Road. From Conklin, it would travel north to Indian Lake Road and then west to Indian Ridge where it would connect to the township’s water main.
‘For the people and the subdivisions, the added benefit is this area will have fire protection,? Ireland said. ‘Second, we’ll have a more reliable water system with feeds coming from multiple directions.?
It will allow for the Orion Fire Department to connect to fire hydrants in the event of a fire. Currently, any fire that happens in that area is reliant on large tanker trucks driving and filling up at the closest water source and returning to the scene.
‘This always means that we must call in mutual aid from our neighboring departments to assist and keep a supply of water for fire operations,? said Fire Chief Robert Smith. ‘It also adds to vehicles constantly driving on the roadways increasing the chances of accidents or being delayed because of traffic congestion.?
Early this year the department had a fire off of Conklin Road and had to rely on a tanker shuttle for their water. By adding hydrants the department will have a dedicated water source which will allow for a more streamlined operation without the water flow interruption.
Smith added that the addition of hydrants could bring another benefit to citizens beyond fire protection. Insurance companies examine the closest water source when calculating home insurance rates.
‘In some cases insurance companies calculate rates by location of nearest water source, meaning how close is the nearest hydrant,? he said. ‘I receive calls every day from insurances carriers trying to figure a rate for a homeowner and that is in the top five questions they have.?
According to Ireland, the 2.1 mile extension will have fire hydrants at every intersection along the route with various hydrants in between. It would also give neighborhoods an opportunity to tap into the township water system.
‘In the future, people who aren’t on the route, they’ll be able to draft a petition for a special assessment district,? Ireland said. ‘It’ll bring water into their street at more affordable rate than if they had to bring in a water main transitioning from the main streets.?