The Water Line Replacement Project will begin in downtown Clemson this summer.

The improvements are made possible by a $943,909 grant from the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority, according to Independent Mail.

The choice to complete the project during the summer months was strategic “because they allow the city to take advantage of the reduced population density, while Clemson University is between spring and fall semesters,” city engineer Nathan Hinkle said.

A press release on the city’s website stated that the project will replace old cast-iron pipes with new ductile pipes, targeting streets west of College Avenue, including, but not limited to, Wigington Street, sections of Old Greenville Highway, Addison Lane, Sloan Street and Edgewood Avenue.

Hinkle ’10 is the lead engineer, and Tripp Huey ’94 will serve as project manager.

“These waterlines are among the oldest in the city’s network. Having reached the end of their useful life, the materials are more prone to brittleness and reduced efficiency,” Hinkle told The Tiger in an interview.

The project is expected to improve water volume and clarity, augment fire protection and make water lines more accessible and simpler to maintain.

“By replacing aging, corroded pipes, the city aims to eliminate periodic drinking water discoloration,” Hinkle said. “Residents should notice a more consistent flow rate.”

The city will hold neighborhood meetings for residents to ask specific questions about the project.

No specific neighborhood meetings have been scheduled yet, but residents can expect notices by mail and on the city’s digital channels closer to the start date, according to Hinkle.