It’s Infrastructure Week (May 13-17) at Liberty, a time to spotlight projects that continue to improve the reliability, resilience and modernization of our electric, water, and natural gas services
This year, we’re highlighting three ongoing infrastructure projects. Each of these projects help us better serve our customers while delivering the high quality, reliable utility service they expect.
Cordes Lakes system upgrades boost reliable water service
After acquiring the Cordes Lakes, Arizona, water system in March of 2019, Liberty identified top priorities to increase service reliability, including obtaining an adequate water supply, improving infrastructure, and increasing efficiency of the overall system in Arizona.
To supplement the local water supply and strengthen the water system, Liberty constructed a new well capable of producing up to 108 gallons of water per minute.
Over the last few years, Liberty has continued to make infrastructure improvements to the water system. This includes installing 487 feet of new water main to deliver water from the new well to the system and a new 5,000-gallon hydropneumatic water tank to help provide consistent water pressure and additional water storage. These projects also support local firefighting capabilities.
Liberty has also replaced or repaired water mains to help improve reliability, reduce service interruptions, and minimize water loss. New valves were installed throughout the water system to reduce the number of customers impacted when maintenance or repair work is performed.
“Liberty is making great progress to continue improving the water system in Cordes Lakes,” said Eric Rojas, Supervisor II, Operations for Liberty-Arizona/Texas. “These projects are important because they help up deliver the high quality, reliable water service for our customers now and for the future.”
Line replacements improve the resiliency of Liberty’s gas system
Liberty’s team is hard at work replacing aging pipe throughout its natural gas service territory in Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa.
Steel piping is built to last … but not forever. Over time, corrosion and natural wear can weaken steel pipes and create small pits and cracks where gas can escape. During the 1960s and ‘70s, PVC piping was a low-cost alternative; however, age has caught up with PVC and its brittleness means it’s not the most ideal conduit.
Liberty’s focus the last few years has been on replacing bare steel and PVC pipelines with polyethylene piping. This material is lighter, more durable, easier to install, and costs less than steel. Plus, it helps deliver the pressure requirements of the distribution system.
Today, there is no longer any cast-iron piping in any of Liberty’s gas systems in these states, while several cities in Missouri and Illinois have recently had all PVC pipes replaced. This year, the city of Metropolis, Illinois, will undergo bare steel piping replacement. There are also several smaller replacement projects planned throughout the region.
The effort to improve the resiliency of Liberty’s gas infrastructure is far from over.
“The coming years will see the continuation of the bare steel and PVC replacement project,” said Mike Beatty, President, Central Region-Natural Gas. “The endpoint is projected to be five to seven years away.”
Rockingham substation helps modernize the grid
A project 10 years in the making, the recently completed Rockingham substation helped modernize the local grid, increased system capacity by 50-megawatts (or 100%) and improved service and reliability for customers.
Liberty’s largest investment in the New Hampshire electric system is also helping to spur economic growth by supporting new developments such as Tuscan Village, a 4 million square-foot, mixed-use destination.
?In addition to constructing the new substation, Liberty installed two 115 kV supply lines and five new circuits and retired two 70-year-old substations.
?“Customers will see an improvement in reliability,” said Jeffrey Faber, Interim Director of Operations for Liberty-New Hampshire. “It also paves the way for future growth and development in our communities and supports options for customers like solar, battery, and even electric vehicles. It's a win for everyone.”
To learn more about how Liberty is investing in infrastructure to support the customers and communities it serves, visit www.libertyenergyandwater.com or follow Liberty on Facebook or X.