ABOUT THE PROJECT
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PROJECT NAME: Sweetwater to Lower Otay Pipeline Relining Project
LOCATION: Bonita, Sunnyside, EastLake, and Otay Ranch - Chula Vista, CA
DESCRIPTION:
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The San Diego County Water Authority’s (Water Authority) Pipeline Relining Program is a multi-decade effort to rehabilitate and extend the life of approximately 82 miles of water supply pipelines in San Diego County.
The Sweetwater to Lower Otay Pipeline Relining Project involves rehabilitating approximately 5.4 miles of large diameter pipeline that traverses portions of the communities of Bonita, Sunnyside, and eastern Chula Vista (Eastlake, Otay Ranch, as well as the Otay Ranch Preserve and Lower Otay County Park).
The relining process involves inserting steel cylinders, known as liners, into an existing 6 foot diameter pipeline, reinforcing the pipeline from within. All work being performed will be within existing San Diego County Water Authority easements.
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REASON:
Relining pipelines is a more cost-effective and less intrusive way to rehabilitate and extend the life of a water supply pipeline. It also helps to ensure the region always has a safe and reliable water supply.
PROJECT MANAGER:
Craig Balgren
(877) 682-9283 x7005
CIPinfo@sdcwa.org
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Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the purpose of the Sweetwater to Lower Otay Pipeline Relining Project?
This pipeline relining project will rehabilitate and extend the life of an existing drinking water pipeline serving the South Bay. Relining existing pipelines is a cost-effective and less intrusive way of maintaining critical water infrastructure. The pipeline segment was selected for relining or rehabilitation based on its age and the need for improvements. The San Diego County Water Authority is a public agency that serves the San Diego region as a wholesale water supplier. The Water Authority owns, maintains, and operates large diameter pipelines that deliver vast quantities of water to the retail agencies. Retail agencies then deliver that water in smaller quantities to individual customers.
What are the benefits of this project?
To ensure San Diego County always has a safe and reliable water supply, the Water Authority has a multi-year program to inspect, rehabilitate or replace aging water infrastructure. By keeping up with maintenance, the Water Authority ensures it is always able to provide a safe and reliable water supply to support the region’s $186 billion economy and the quality of life of its 3.1 million residents. To date, the Water Authority has relined approximately 30 miles of its aging pipelines.
How long will it take to complete the project?
The Water Authority is currently designing the project and the project’s environmental documentation has been released for public review. The Water Authority anticipates construction will begin in 2014 and be completed in 2015.
How will my water service be affected?
Local water service will not be affected.
How will the Water Authority reline the pipeline?
Construction crews will perform most of the work underground, inside the 6 foot diameter pipeline. They get to the pipe by excavating, establishing and entering the pipeline through one of seventeen access sites or portals. Large sound walls, typically constructed of wood, will be temporarily placed at the portals, as needed, to comply with environmental regulations and ease noise impacts to residents. At each portal, crews must remove approximately 40 feet of existing pipe to gain access to the interior of the pipeline and install the relining materials. Pipeline relining occurs in several phases and construction work at the various portals may not occur actively at the same time. Work at each portal may vary depending on the construction plan and contractor resources.
What are the environmental impacts of the project?
An environmental impact report (EIR) for this project is currently being performed according to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines. For more information about the project, please visit sdcwa.org.