“POULSBO – To be quite honest, I’m worried about the project, Public Works Supt. Bill Duffy said Wednesday of extensive sewer enhancement work on 6th Avenue. Duffy, however, made the statement with a smile. He had good reason to. Neighbors there are baking cookies and muffins for the workers, he explained, noting that in his 25 years on the job this type of response was a first. They’re even trading recipes. The project began in early fall of 2000 and has been a tremendous success. So much so that crews from Debco Construction of Snohomish plan to remain on site and continue additional sewer upgrades on Harrison, Eliason and Ryen streets as well as a portion of Fjord Drive. Pipelines in the 6th Avenue neighborhood are over 50 years old, Duffy said, adding that they are presently at the end of their expected life cycle. Cracks in the lines have led to serious inflow and infiltration problems, which, as a result, have routinely stuck the city with an inflated wastewater treatment bills from Kitsap County. Poulsbo pays the county anywhere from $300,000 to $400,000 for the service each year – something which the city is trying hard to reduce. The extensive 6th Avenue project is benefitting neighborhood residents through improved sewer service at their properties. Pipe bursting, in which a larger diameter pipe is forced through a smaller one, has been employed throughout construction. In addition to work at the mains, Duffy said the city also offered to improve on-property service connections to individual houses. Similar measures will be used on the adjacent roads. I think it is a big benefit to keep these guys on site, Duffy said, noting that the additional work has been estimated at $246,000. (These pipes) are as old as the ones on 6th or older. It is time to fix them. “