DATE: October 15, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Water Utilities Department
TITLE: APPROVE CONTINUATION OF EMERGENCY WORK TO REPAIR THE 18-INCH MESA LOMA WATER MAIN AT LOMA ALTA CREEK
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council determine there remains a need to continue emergency work on the 18-inch Mesa Loma Water Main.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
In January 2024, staff isolated a leaking segment of the 18-inch Mesa Loma Water Main near Loma Alta Creek and activated the Mesa Loma Pump Station to maintain service.
Emergency permits were secured in early 2025 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, and NCTD. Cass Arrieta, the City’s emergency contractor, began work in April 2025. Initial repairs addressed significant damage to the pipeline within the creek, and subsequent inspections revealed additional deficiencies in multiple joints near the initial repair site.
To address these, staff revised the repair strategy to install a trenchless, high-pressure liner. Advantage Reline, Inc., commenced work in late August 2025 and completed the installation of the liner through 300 linear feet of existing pipe north of the NCTD tracks on September 19, 2025. Cass Arrieta provided trench support, flushing, testing, and final tie-ins between the new liner and existing pipeline.
All repair work and final connections north of the railroad tracks were completed September 30, 2025, under the City’s emergency procurement policy. Upon completion of the work, 1,800 linear feet of existing pipe that had been isolated for the repair work was pressure tested and failed to hold pressure, indicating another leak in the pipeline.
Staff is conducting field investigations to locate the leak, which is suspected to be south of the railroad tracks where the existing pipeline is suspected to have similar interior lining and corrosion defects. Rehabilitation and repair alternatives for the existing 1,500 linear feet of pipeline are being reviewed.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding is from the Water Fixed Asset Replacement Fund (712), charged to the Water Pipeline Replacement Account 908163620712.
The current total estimated project cost is $1,528,872, covering construction, rehabilitation, engineering, permitting, and support services needed for the repairs completed north of the railroad tracks. Additional costs are anticipated to continue the emergency investigations and repair work needed to address the remaining deficiencies in the line.
Staff will return with a report of costs for the repair work completed to date once final billing is received, and with additional findings and cost estimates once the investigation is complete.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The Project is located in an environmentally sensitive area. All required permits and notifications have been secured, and staff is continuing to coordinate with environmental consultants and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance and minimize impacts.
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
The Utilities Commission was apprised of the project update at its regularly scheduled meeting on September 16, 2025.
CITY ATTORNEY’S ANALYSIS
Emergency procurements for public projects without competitive bidding are authorized according to the provisions of Section 28A.24 of the Oceanside City Code and California Public Contract Code Section 22050. The emergency action should be terminated at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant so that the remainder of the work, if any, may be completed pursuant to the City’s regular competitive bidding process.
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Prepared by: Mabel Uyeda, Water Engineering Manager
Reviewed by: Frederick Mayo, Water Utilities Director
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager