Engineers hope they’ve found water source on Forum Boulevard

Engineers think they’re close to finding the source of groundwater that has delayed the Forum Boulevard repair project and lane restrictions for more than a month.

“They hope to be able to provide an action plan tomorrow if they can confirm it,” Columbia Public Works spokesperson Barry Dalton wrote in an email to ABC 17 News on Wednesday.

Dalton said engineers think they’ve found where the water is coming from and hope to confirm the source Wednesday night but he can’t say what the source is until crews verify it.

Once confirmed, the city can choose a new date for the project and determine the estimated costs, he said.

The project to repair the potholes on Forum Boulevard between Forum Katy Parkway and Mills Drive started March 14. Crews found flowing water under the roadway, which has stalled the project.

Dalton said without any issues this type of project would take one day to complete.

Water & Light crews have been troubleshooting, running tests and digging to find the water’s source, he said, and crews have tried to determine if the water is from a spring or a nearby business.