Tag Archive for: Pipeline Replacement Project

The City of Oceanside begins work on pipeline replacements of aging water and sewer mains. Some are approaching 100 years old, well past their expected useful life. Photo: City of Oceanside

Downtown Oceanside Pipeline Replacements Project Starts March 9

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The City of Oceanside will begin construction on the second phase of its downtown water and sewer pipeline replacements project beginning the week of March 9. This project is the second of a five-phase program to replace aging water and sewer mains throughout the downtown Oceanside area.

Phase I located between Neptune and Pier View Way included the replacement of 2.5 miles of water and over 1.5 miles of sewer infrastructure.

Construction on Phase II will begin in the alley located south of Meyer Street and north of Pacific Street.

The Phase II Project includes the replacement of over three miles of sewer pipelines and over 2.5 miles of water infrastructure. It also expands the City of Oceanside’s recycled water system in downtown with nearly a mile of new pipe.

Modernizing Water and Sewer Utilities in Oceanside

The project map displays the locations of Phase II water and sewer pipeline replacements. Photo: City of Oceanside

The project map displays the locations of Phase II water and sewer pipeline replacements. Photo: City of Oceanside

“The City of Oceanside is excited to begin construction on the Downtown Water and Sewer Replacement – Phase 2 project,” said Neil Irani, Senior Civil Engineer for the City of Oceanside. “This project is the second phase of our program to replace aging and undersized water and sewer utilities throughout the downtown Oceanside area.

“Over the next couple of years, approximately three miles of sewer and 2.5 miles of water will be replaced with modernized materials. The project will also expand the recycled water system in the downtown area, continuing Oceanside’s commitment to sustainable water sources. This investment in our utility infrastructure is critical to maintain safe and reliable water and sewer service for our customers,” explained Irani.

Aging Pipeline Replacements Prevent System Failures

Many of the water and sewer mains scheduled for replacement in this project are at an advanced age. Some of the sewer mains are approaching 100 years old, well past their expected useful life.

The old pipelines were made of cast iron. Replacement pipelines are made of polyvinyl chloride pipes. The city will also replace hydrants, water meters, and manhole covers.

This project will continue the City of Oceanside’s commitment to updating the water and sewer systems to current standards while ensuring sufficient capacity to meet the area’s growing needs. The City will also add additional recycled water customers as part of the system expansion, including public, commercial, and mixed-use residential properties.

Recycled water is non-potable water typically used for irrigation. Developing recycled water sources is an important part of Oceanside’s commitment to provide customers with sustainable and alternative water sources.

Minimizing Disruptions To Oceanside Community

Work on this project will be restricted to daytime hours, and will pause during busy summer months to avoid disruptions. Photo: City of Oceanside pipeline replacements

Work on this project will be restricted to daytime hours, and will pause during busy summer months to avoid disruptions. Photo: City of Oceanside

The Phase II construction is expected to last approximately two years. Traffic throughout construction areas will generally be maintained at all times. Road closures or detours with impacts to the public will be allowed as night work only.

Daytime work is restricted from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with additional restrictions in the busiest areas. No work will be allowed west of Myers Street during the busy summer season.

Work will also be restricted during popular annual events and weekly markets in the downtown area

Nearby properties will receive advanced notice through door hangers. Water and sewer service will be maintained, with short, planned interruptions also communicated in advance through door hangers. There will also be regular updates in the City newsletter, The Oceanside Tide, as the project progresses.

The project cost is approximately $30 million and is funded through previously budgeted capital improvement program funds and state and federal grants.

Please visit the Oceanside Water Utilities webpage for updates on the project. Residents and business owners with questions about the project or traffic impacts can call representatives (760) 435-5930 or email " class="external" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> for project-related questions.

The El Camino Real infrastructure improvement project has reached its midway point and will be complete in Spring 2021. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

El Camino Real Infrastructure Project Reaches Milestone

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The Olivenhain Municipal Water District project to replace aging water infrastructure along El Camino Real in Encinitas has now reached the halfway point. After getting underway in March 2020 at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the project is making steady progress. District officials expect the entire project to be completed in Spring 2021.

During the El Camino Real Potable Water Pipeline Replacement and Green Bike Lane Striping Project, OMWD is replacing approximately 4,700 linear feet of existing 12-inch diameter potable water pipeline along North El Camino Real from Encinitas Boulevard to Garden View Road, and approximately 650 linear feet of existing 12-inch diameter pipeline between Via Molena and Mountain Vista Drive. Water service lines and fire hydrant laterals served by the existing pipelines are also being replaced.

The two pipelines were originally installed in 1961 and 1974, and were fast approaching the end of their lifespan.

El Camino Real infrastructure project – ensuring water supply reliability

The pipeline replacement will reduce water loss and prevent emergency shutdowns due to leaks. This is vitally important for water conservation and to ensure water supply reliability for businesses and residents.

“OMWD has a robust water loss prevention program in place which reduces costs associated with water loss and emergency repairs in addition to conserving one of our most precious resources,” said OMWD Board Director Christy Guerin. “This project is a big undertaking, but it is absolutely important to the health and safety of the community.”

Bike lane striping reduces inconvenience to residents

The El Camino Real infrastructure project will work through five phases and is expected to be completed by Spring 2021. Graphic: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

“OMWD and the city work closely together to find opportunities like these where we can streamline projects and reduce the inconvenience  they may cause to residents,” said Guerin, who is also the vice chair of the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors and former Encinitas mayor and councilmember.

Bike lanes included in El Camino Real infrastructure project

The pipeline replacement is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The City of Encinitas’ green bike lane portion of the project will begin at that time.

The green bike lane portion of the project will provide traffic calming measures, including improvements to safety and mobility for bicyclists along North El Camino Real from Encinitas Boulevard to Leucadia Boulevard by restriping and narrowing travel lanes. In addition, green-colored striping will augment some areas on the bike lanes and new signage and pavement markings will be installed.

Olivenhain Municipal Water District is implementing the lane restriping portion of the project on behalf of the City of Encinitas as an efficiency measure, which is taking place concurrently with the pipeline replacement project.

Collaboration on infrastructure improvements

The two agencies have combined what would normally be two separate, unrelated infrastructure improvement projects into a single effort to improve operational efficiency and reduce the temporary inconvenience of disruptions to area residents and businesses.

“These improvement projects are important for the continued success and safety of the surrounding areas,” said Encinitas Councilmember Joe Mosca. “We understand that anytime you are working in the road, especially in high-traffic areas, there can be traffic and noise impacts. That is why the City of Encinitas and OMWD are working together closely to minimize the time we need to be out there and keep any impacts to the public at a minimum.”

Overnight work

As daytime traffic has returned to normal levels, the City of Encinitas requested work hours be shifted back to overnight. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

As daytime traffic has returned to normal levels, the City of Encinitas requested work hours be shifted back to overnight. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

At the start of the project, Encinitas requested that work be done at night to further reduce traffic impacts. During the stay-at-home order, work could be completed during daytime hours due to significantly reduced traffic levels. However, as traffic has returned to normal levels, the City requested work hours be shifted back to overnight.

Olivenhain Municipal Water District officials continue to work closely with Encinitas officials to monitor the project’s impact on traffic on a week-by-week basis and modify the schedule as needed. Both public agencies and the project contractor Teichert Energy and Utilities Group continue to adapt and respond to opportunities to mitigate impacts to the surrounding community while maintaining efficiency.

Project updates are on the water district’s website.

Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

OMWD and City of Encinitas Announce Neighborhood Meeting on September 17 about Pipeline Replacement Project and Lane Restriping along El Camino Real Corridor

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Encinitas, Calif.—Residents and business owners are invited to attend a public meeting on September 17 to learn about two important projects taking place along the North El Camino Real Corridor in the coming months.

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