Heath Mayor Jeremiah McClure posted a video update Nov. 10 on the city's Fire Flow improvement projects, calling them part of an effort to protect the community with fire safety upgrades.

The City of Heath's post on X said McClure shared "important Fire Flow updates completed and underway." A week earlier, on Nov. 3, the city posted a separate video in which McClure provided an update on two projects the city said would "create an even safer Heath community."

The specific details McClure discussed in the videos were not available in text form. But Heath City Council records trace the Fire Flow work back months and show two major tracks: the Candlelite Fire Flow construction project and a broader engineering design effort covering more than a dozen neighborhoods.

Candlelite Fire Flow

The Candlelite project was awarded to Hayes Construction and appeared on the council's capital-projects agenda as early as March 24, according to council minutes. At that point, the city said contractors were asked to limit work until the Terry Lane road project was finished.

Crews began work along Candlelite on June 24, council minutes show. By the Aug. 25 meeting, the contractor had installed water line mains along Terry Lane, Candlelite Trail and Lemley Drive. The project was about 50% complete.

At the Sept. 22 council meeting, staff reported that service lines along Terry Lane were being connected. Gregory Drive's fire flow main line was being installed, with Darrell Drive and Autumn Trail next. The project runs on a 180-calendar-day construction schedule, with completion expected by late December.

Broader design work

The council unanimously approved an engineering design contract with Freeman-Millican, Inc. on April 14 for the city's broader Fire Flow Improvement Plan. The contract covers professional engineering services, including design, bidding and limited construction administration, at a cost not to exceed $559,685.

Director of Public Works Bryan Creed told the council the work targets water line and fire hydrant replacements to bring fire flow to a minimum of 1,500 gallons per minute (GPM). He estimated 24 months of construction once bidding is complete. Councilmember Mitch Ownby made the motion, and Councilmember Michelle Thurgood seconded it.

The neighborhoods covered include Twin View, Moraine, Sunny Estates, Halford, Myers Road, K&K Subdivision, Kyser Springs Road, Dwyer Court, Serenity Lane and Larry Road. As of Aug. 25, Freeman-Millican was expected to deliver 30% preliminary design plans for city review by the end of that month.

Two plan sets, Las Lomas Loop and Hilltop Estates, are on a separate timeline due to additional design considerations, according to the Sept. 22 minutes.

The Oct. 27 council agenda listed another capital-projects discussion that included Candlelite Fire Flow, but minutes from that meeting are not yet available.

Heath residents can watch the council's capital-projects updates at regular meetings, held at 200 Laurence Drive starting at 6:30 p.m.