Providence Water is reaching out to the community ahead of its upcoming water main replacement and rehabilitation project in the city’s Auburn and Edgewood sections.

Work on the mains – some of which are more than 100 years old – begins in April. The utility is replacing the unlined, cast-iron mains as part of an effort to “address water quality issues, such as discolored water or low pressure within the area water distribution system,” according to a statement.

“While the construction work will be disruptive and inconvenient to both local residents and businesses, the 1,200 affected homes and businesses will see noticeable improvement in the quality of water at their properties when the work is completed,” the statement reads.

The Auburn portion of the project will involve the rehabilitation of six miles of water mains on 24 streets through cleaning and cement lining, according to the utility. It will benefit approximately 763 homes and businesses, and represent the completion of work that began last year.

The utility defines the Auburn area as being located between Reservoir and Pontiac avenues, from Park Avenue to Colonial Avenue.

“Providence Water will keep customers informed of the project before and during construction through community and business meetings, website postings, telephone calls, texts, emails and other notifications,” the statement reads. “Area customers are urged to call Providence Water to ensure that their phone numbers, text information and email addresses are current and working.”

The work in Edgewood will involve cleaning and cement lining for roughly four miles of water mains. It will begin in 2015 and continue into 2016. Dewcon Inc. has been awarded the $5.2 million contract for the work, which the utility states will benefit approximately 440 homes and businesses.

“The existing water mains scheduled to be rehabilitated within this two-year project are located between Warwick Avenue and Broad Street from Saint Paul’s Church to the Pawtuxet River, and south of the Rhodes On The Pawtuxet between Woodbury Road and Fort Avenue from Ocean Avenue to Aborn Street,” the statement reads. “The streets scheduled for 2015 (114 services and 5,400 linear feet of water main) include Kneeland Street, Tucker Avenue, Parkway Avenue, Commercial Street, Sheldon Street, George Street, Springwood Street and Aborn Street.”

According to Providence Water, those affected by the work will be “connected to a temporary above-ground water bypass piping system in sidewalk areas through hoses connected to their homes’ or businesses’ outside water spigot.”

“The streets will be systematically trenched, and the water main will either be replaced or the existing water main will be cleaned and lined,” the statement reads. “New valves, hydrants and appurtenances will also be installed, including new water service connections and the replacement of any lead water services with new copper tubing from the water main to the sidewalk area. Other operations include the disinfection of bypass piping, new mains, and appurtenances, placement of temporary pavement, and finally the installation of permanent pavement of excavated areas (after a 60-day settlement period).”

For additional information, visit www.provwater.com.