EPHRATA - Ephrata officially declared the collapse in a 150-foot section of sewer pipe an emergency.

The declaration came after the section of pipe beneath Division Street East broke on Oct. 10.

The city contacted five contractors and received three bids to replace the pipe between J Street Northeast and K Street Northeast, City Administrator Wes Crago said. The section is adjacent to two other sections which needed to be replaced in March and June 2008.

"There was one section that was not replaced and that was also in what we call a troublesome area. It's flushed routinely. It's a flat area. It's a deeper section. It was embedded to the standards of the time, but it wouldn't meet current standards," he said.

A collapsed section of pipe was small, measuring several feet, and located adjacent to the manhole at K Street Northeast, Crago said.

"We made the decision to replace the entire run, since we didn't feel like coming back a fourth time to do this," he said. "We had a small backup in the offices of the Community Church of Ephrata. It was very small. It was contained quickly."

The city selected the lowest bidder, Kamstra Construction from Ephrata, to replace the pipe, Crago said.

"We were engaged to Central Washington Asphalt to come in and asphalt. They aren't able to do that for a couple of weeks," he said. "Staff has continued to pursue the asphalt quotes, which are a little tough now."

Crago said they have received a quote of $3,800 from Eastside Asphalt of Moses Lake, bringing the project's total to $17,303. Paving is scheduled to start Friday.

Councilmember Bruce Reim asked if there was any older sections between the three areas replaced.

"No, that entire section that we're most concerned about has been replaced," Crago said. "We are still hoping to have enough money in the budget ... the year after, to have everything from J Street west either relined or ... a non-destructive way to reinforce or reline an existing pipe where it lies."