Davenport, Wash.-based Halme Construction Inc. is the apparent low bidder on a $1.8 million city of Spokane water project that involves replacing the Lincoln Heights booster station, says city spokeswoman Marlene Feist.

Construction is slated to begin in May and continue through August.

Booster stations transport water uphill using motors and pumps, Feist says. Located near Ray Court and 23rd Avenue, the Lincoln Heights booster station is the primary station for most of the South Hill, she says. In much of the city, water mains are gravity-fed, meaning water is flowing downhill rather than being forced upward.

The new booster station will be built west of two existing buildings. The project will include replacing an older eight-pump facility with a five-pump, 3,200 square-foot station that will have an option for a sixth pump, Feist says.

She says four of the older pumps were installed 80 years ago, and the other four were installed 40 years ago.

She says the city expects to save about $31,000 annually once the new station is completed, due to upgrades in equipment and technology. Feist says the new station will still pump the same amount of water as the current station.

The Lincoln Heights booster station will continue to operate while the new station is being constructed. Once the new booster station is complete, Feist says the old facility either will be used for storage or will be torn down.

The city is using water department capital money to fund the project.