Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Indian Head Canyon Pipeline Restoration Project and El Camino Real Potable Water Pipeline Replacement Project were both recognized today as 2022 Projects of the Year by American Public Works Association’s San Diego and Imperial County Chapter at its awards event in Mission Valley.
“OMWD takes great pride in providing uninterrupted water service to our customers,” said OMWD Board President Larry Watt. “Replacing and repairing infrastructure before it fails helps to avoid emergency repairs, which is a more cost-effective and less impactful approach.”
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Olivenhain-Logo-Square.jpg200200Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngGayle Falkenthal2022-05-19 15:51:352022-05-20 17:09:34OMWD Recognized for Construction Projects to Ensure Water Reliability
Gary Bousquet, a 30-year civil engineering professional, has been appointed Director of Engineering for the San Diego County Water Authority as the agency launches the development of a major energy storage project that promises substantial long-term benefits for the region. Bousquet fills the position vacated by the retirement of Jerry Reed, whose 26-year career with the Water Authority included the past six years as Engineering Department director.
With Bousquet’s promotion, Engineering Manager Neena Kuzmich was promoted to Deputy Director of Engineering. Kuzmich is a professional civil engineer with more than 20 years of experience, including the past eight years leading complex engineering projects at the Water Authority.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.png00Ed Joycehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngEd Joyce2021-08-05 11:59:282021-08-05 12:56:15Gary Bousquet Named Director of Engineering for Water Authority
Gary Bousquet, a 30-year civil engineering professional, has been appointed Director of Engineering for the San Diego County Water Authority as the agency launches the development of a major energy storage project that promises substantial long-term benefits for the region. Bousquet fills the position vacated by the retirement of Jerry Reed, whose 26-year career with the Water Authority included the past six years as Engineering Department director.
With Bousquet’s promotion, Engineering Manager Neena Kuzmich was promoted to Deputy Director of Engineering. Kuzmich is a professional civil engineer with more than 20 years of experience, including the past eight years leading complex engineering projects at the Water Authority.
The Water Authority is a regional wholesale water agency that provides about 80% of the water used in San Diego County, sustaining a $253 billion economy and quality of life for 3.3 million residents.
Gary Bousquet managed major Capital Improvement Program projects
Bousquet joined the Water Authority in 1999 after working in the private sector designing and performing construction management of water and wastewater treatment projects. During the past 22 years at the Water Authority, Bousquet managed design and construction of Capital Improvement Program projects including the San Vicente Tunnel, San Vicente Pump Station, and the Lake Hodges Hydroelectric Facility. For the past several years, he served as Deputy Director of Engineering, leading the agency’s CIP Design and Energy Projects Group, Engineering Administration Services Group, and the Water Authority’s Innovation Program. Bousquet graduated with a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Northeastern University and is a registered civil engineer in California.
“Jerry Reed’s hard work and dedicated service has made a profound impact on the San Diego region, which benefits every day from the projects that he helped develop and lead over the past three decades,” said Water Authority General Manager Sandra L. Kerl. “Thankfully, the Engineering Department will remain in good hands. Gary Bousquet’s dedication to innovation and excellence will continue to enhance the San Diego region’s natural resources for decades to come.”
The Water Authority’s engineering department is responsible for the design and construction of regional water facilities in the Capital Improvement and Asset Management Programs; overseeing energy related projects; managing real-estate interests; patrolling and managing 168 miles of right-of-way property; and providing survey services.
Gary Bousquet has been appointed Director of Engineering for the San Diego County Water Authority and, with Bousquet’s promotion, Engineering Manager Neena Kuzmich was promoted to Deputy Director of Engineering for the Water Authority. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority
Renewable energy project: San Vicente Energy Storage Facility
For the past several years, Bousquet and Kuzmich have led the Water Authority’s efforts to develop a major renewable energy project proposed jointly with the City of San Diego. The San Vicente Energy Storage Facility received $18 million in the state budget signed in July by Gov. Gavin Newsom, enough to advance the project through initial design, environmental reviews, and the federal licensing process.
The San Diego County Water Authority and the City of San Diego are partners in developing the San Vicente Energy Storage Facility. The pumped storage energy project at San Vicente Reservoir could store 4,000 megawatt-hours per day of energy, or 500 megawatts of capacity for eight hours.
The San Vicente energy project is one of the most promising pumped energy storage solutions in California and it would be a major asset to help avoid rolling blackouts through on-demand energy production while helping to meet state climate goals. It also could mitigate costs for water ratepayers across the San Diego region by generating additional revenue to help offset the cost of water purchases, storage, and treatment. The City and the Water Authority are developing the project together, just like they did to raise the height of the city-owned San Vicente Dam 117 feet in the 2010s. More information on the project: www.sdcwa.org/projects/san-vicente-pumping-facilities/.
The department and agency have won several awards in recent years, including the world’s top civil engineering honor for its Emergency and Carryover Storage Project in 2017 from the American Society of Civil Engineers. More recently, the agency received four awards from the American Public Works Association and American Society of Civil Engineers for construction projects that exemplified outstanding skill, dedication, and collaboration. The awards include:
APWA Project of the Year: Northern First Aqueduct Structures and Lining Rehabilitation
APWA Honor Award: Vallecitos 11/Vista Irrigation 12 Flow Control Facility
APWA Honor Award: San Diego 28 Flow Control Facility
ASCE Award of Excellence: Pipeline 5 Emergency Repair
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Gary-Bousquet-05-Aug-Water-Authority.jpg450845Ed Joycehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngEd Joyce2021-08-05 09:37:582021-08-05 09:44:06Gary Bousquet Named Director of Engineering for Water Authority
The American Public Works Association and American Society of Civil Engineers recently presented the San Diego County Water Authority with four awards for construction projects that exemplified outstanding skill, dedication and collaboration from staff in many departments. All of the projects were underway or completed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and project teams navigated shutdowns, adapted to health and safety restrictions, and overcame many other uncertainties – in addition to typical challenges encountered during construction projects.
The San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter of the American Public Works Association recently recognized a San Diego County Water Authority pipeline relining project for its excellence as a public works project. The award commends the successful partnership between Water Authority staff, the contractor and local agencies working together to complete this critical repair to maintain the reliability of the regional water supply.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.png00Ed Joycehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngEd Joyce2020-09-21 10:30:122020-09-24 09:22:08Major Relining Project Honored by the American Public Works Association
The San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter of the American Public Works Association recently recognized a San Diego County Water Authority pipeline relining project for its excellence as a public works project. The award commends the successful partnership between Water Authority staff, the contractor and local agencies working together to complete this critical repair to maintain the reliability of the regional water supply.
Relining project covers 12,300 feet
Pipeline 5 was relined from the point of delivery with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to Sage Road in the Fallbrook and Rainbow communities in north San Diego County. The $24.7 million project was completed in July 2019 and relined approximately 12,300 feet of Pipeline 5, a 96-inch large-diameter regional pipeline.
30-year pipeline relining program rehabilitates aging pipes
Relining is a cost-effective method to repair pipelines and extend their service life with less impacts to the community and environment than if a traditional pipe replacement is performed. The relining process avoids digging up miles of pipeline, which would take significantly more time and resources, as well as impact associated streets and driveways for a long period of time.
“The Water Authority’s asset management program used an acoustic fiber monitoring system to help perform evaluations of the pipeline and prioritize this portion for rehabilitation,” said Jerry Reed, director of engineering at the Water Authority. “Our staff collaborated with stakeholders in Fallbrook, San Marcos and Rainbow, including staff at our member agencies and nearby residents to ensure project success.”
The project work areas were surrounded by residential homes and farms, heavily traveled public streets and a local retirement community.
Close coordination with multiple agencies ensured there were no impacts to water deliveries. Open communications with local residents regarding project schedule ensured no incidents occurred with local traffic.
Proactive asset management program rehabilitates crucial water infrastructure
The relining project was part of the Water Authority’s proactive and innovative asset management program to rehabilitate and reline pre-stressed concrete cylinder pipe within the Water Authority’s conveyance system to ensure continued supply reliability.
The local APWA chapter chose the project based on criteria that included superb planning, efficient design and construction management techniques to complete the project on schedule, within a cost-effective budget and adherence to regulatory requirements. It was also judged on the degree it enhanced a public service or facility, the quality of community relations or actions to minimize public impacts, safety precautions taken to protect lives and property, environmental impact mitigation measures and other accomplishments under adverse conditions.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/P5Award-845x450-1-e1600212315914.jpg450845Kristiene Gonghttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngKristiene Gong2020-09-21 10:13:262020-09-21 17:10:51Major Relining Project Honored by the American Public Works Association
Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Recycled Water Pipeline Extension 153A was recognized September 10 as a 2020 Project of the Year by the San Diego and Imperial County Chapter of the American Public Works Association at its virtual awards event. The pipeline extension connected the Surf Cup Sports youth soccer fields in San Diego to OMWD’s recycled water distribution system. By allowing Surf Cup to convert the irrigation of 55 acres of grass fields to recycled water, OMWD has reduced potable water demands for irrigation by up to 100 million gallons per year.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.png00Ed Joycehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngEd Joyce2020-09-16 10:21:412020-09-21 16:59:38Olivenhain Municipal Water District Recycled Water Expansion Project is Project of the Year
San Diego County Water Authority maintenance professional Bobby Bond Jr. made it a three-peat, representing San Diego at the 2019 American Public Works Association’s National ROADEO Skills Competition in Seattle, Washington.
He secured the right to represent the San Diego region as the Master Skills Operator Champion by winning first place out of 20 competitors. The San Diego regional competition took place this summer at Rohr Park in Chula Vista.
“I get nervous every single time before I do it, but it’s not too bad,” admitted Bond.
Bobby Bond Jr. (second from left) accepts his first place trophy as the 2019 Master Skills Operator in the San Diego regional competition. Photo: MSA/APWA San Diego
Bond gets daily on-the-job training in his role as a Senior Maintenance Technician for the Water Authority. Over the past year, he has worked on pipeline encasement for the Lake Murray to Sweetwater Reservoir Pipeline 3 relining project; performed demolition work using a “mini-excavator” to remove unused flow control facilities; and a variety of road grading assignments.
“I think I improved on the mini-excavator,” said Bond.
Work experience is training for competition
Bond’s versatility is an asset in competition. Participants compete on the local level in three categories: the backhoe/mini-excavator, skid steer, and mechanics. Each task requires the competitor to perform tasks with the equipment against the clock, with faults assessed for any mistakes. The three sets of results are added to determine the overall Master Operator Champion.
His time through the course was five minutes and 46 seconds with minimal faults, earning him the victory in his third year of competition. Taking second place and joining Bond in Seattle was David Bosley from the City of El Cajon. He was just 10 seconds behind Bond, and asked to train with Bond before the national competition.
See Bond Jr. in action in competition at the 2019 National ROADEO Skills competition here.
APWA ROADEO competitions test vital job skills
At the September 9, 2019 APWA National Equipment ROADEO in Seattle, competitors performed two mini-excavator tests, with the scores added together to determine a winner.
“It’s like the first time every time we go,” explained Bond. “You’re in a new city, and the set-ups are different. This year, two mini-excavator events took place in a parking lot down by the baseball stadium [T-Mobile Park]. It was a busy street; people were looking over wondering what as going on – it was early in the morning.”
Bobby Bond Jr. navigates the competition tasks with the mini-excavator at the 2019 American Public Works Association National Skills ROADEO. Photo: Courtesy Natassia Bond
Bond also attends the APWA convention to learn about new products and techniques.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to participate in it,” he said.
The annual national and regional competitions test the skills Bond and many other professionals use each day on the job while maintaining water and wastewater systems, streets, and other vital infrastructure.
Water Authority Board of Directors honors Bond’s efforts
The Water Authority’s Board of Directors recognized Bond as the Employee of the Fourth Quarter in FY 2019 for his expertise and dedication.
“He really exemplifies teamwork, customer service, and excellence in the work he does,” said Acting General Manager Sandy Kerl. “His successful efforts on the La Mesa-Sweetwater pipeline encasement repair projects were critical to ensuring a reliable water supply to our member agencies. Bobby has one of the most positive attitudes, and it’s contagious.”
“It’s an honor to win for the Water Authority. I’ve worked here for seven years, and I’ve loved every minute of it,” said Bond.
He intends to continue honing his skills at work, pursuing his ultimate goal to compete for the Water Authority when the 2022 National Roadeo Skills Competition takes place in San Diego. Bond plans to compete in the next three contests in New Orleans, St. Louis, and in North Carolina before enjoying his hometown advantage.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Bond-2019-Backhoe-2-845X450.jpg450845Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngGayle Falkenthal2019-10-11 16:16:012019-10-11 16:16:01Water Authority Maintenance Pro Scores Three-Peat in National Competition
Two maintenance pros representing San Diego brought home awards from the 2018 American Public Works Association’s National Roadeo Skills Competition in Kansas City, Missouri , in late August.
The San Diego County Water Authority’s Bobby Bond Jr. placed second in the backhoe/mini-excavator event, while John Brown, also of the Water Authority, placed third in the skid steer competition. They are the only winners from west of the Rockies, and the only two winners from a single agency nationwide.
A record number of 86 participants competed in three categories of competition: the backhoe/mini-excavator, skid steer, and mechanics. Each competition fielded 50 to 55 participants. Organizers ran through the rules and provided an orientation to the three categories of competition, as well as a tour of each course. Finally, all of the competitors drew numbers to determine their starting order.
Competition tests skills used to maintain vital infrastructure
Winners received engraved belt buckles as prizes. Photo: Courtesy Bobby Bond Jr.
Bond competed in the skid steer category early, which served as a warm-up for the backhoe and the mini-excavator tests. Despite incurring a 25-second penalty for dropping a section of PVC pipe, Bond’s time through the course was 3 minutes, 3.2 seconds with minimal faults, earning him the second place finish.
It was Bond’s second year in the event, and his previous experience paid off. “This year, it was really competitive,” said Bond. “The course was really tight. They did a really good job making it fair for everyone. It was fun.”
John Brown placed third despite an unusual hiccup. While he was competing, his mini-excavator ran out of fuel on the second obstacle. He was allowed to restart on a replacement machine, earning Bond’s admiration for remaining cool under pressure. Brown’s final time was 1 minutes, 55.8 seconds, with no penalties assigned.
Both the national and regional competitions mimic skills that Bonds, Brown and thousands of other employees use each day on the job while maintaining water and wastewater systems, streets, and other vital infrastructure.
Jim Fisher, Director of Operations and Maintenance for the Water Authority, is proud of the results, but not surprised. “Bond and Brown are part of a team whose skills we count on every day to maintain our region’s water system. They exceed our expectations and both earned this well deserved recognition for their accomplishments.”
Bond says he intends to return for local and national competitions in coming years – and he aims to compete for the Water Authority when the National Roadeo Skills Competition returns to San Diego in 2022.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Backhoe-2018-National-Sign-845X450.jpg450845Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngGayle Falkenthal2018-09-11 12:05:492018-09-19 20:14:57Maintenance Men Bring Home the Hardware from National Contest
