DATE: January 22, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Water Utilities Department
TITLE: APPROVE CONTINUATION OF EMERGENCY WORK TO REPAIR THE 6TH AQUEDUCT PIPELINE
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council determine that there is a need to continue emergency work to repair the 6th Aqueduct Pipeline.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
On December 12, 2024, Water Utilities staff identified water surfacing in the southbound lanes of North Santa Fe Avenue near the Mesa Drive intersection. Upon investigation, the source of the issue was traced to the 6th Aqueduct pipeline, a major water transmission line supplying the City of Oceanside. A segment of the transmission line was promptly isolated and taken offline, with no interruption to water service for customers.
The leak was located within a buried valve vault, which has since been uncovered for assessment and repair. City crews successfully drained the transmission main on December 28, 2024, in preparation for the necessary repairs.
To expedite the repair process, Orion Construction, an approved emergency contractor, was contacted on December 13, 2024. This action was authorized under City Code Section 28A.24(a) for emergency procurements through the City Manager’s Office. On January 8, 2025, the City Council approved the continuation of repair work as emergency work to ensure the protection of life, health, property, and essential public services.
On January 2, 2025, a leaky Dresser coupling within the valve vault was replaced with a welded steel buttstrap by Field Maintenance crews. A new coupling was not readily available and the estimated lead time was several weeks. The existing butterfly valve was also tested and confirmed to be in good working condition. The Distribution staff attempted to fill the main that evening but were unable to operate a downstream valve that was closed to isolate the main. City crews returned on January 8, 2025 to expose and troubleshoot the buried isolation valve located north of Mesa Drive. Plant Maintenance staff fabricated new operating gears and nut successfully that same day and were able to successfully operate the valve and initiate filling of the water main.
To facilitate future maintenance and access, the valve vault will remain empty, and access openings and manways will be raised to grade to ensure visibility and avoid paving over of the lids.
To minimize traffic disruption, a trench plate has been installed in the slow lane of North Santa Fe Avenue and will remain in place during non-working hours. Design and procurement of materials to raise the access ways to grade and clear out remaining soil and rock in vault is ongoing. Once this work is completed, the trench plate will be removed for final paving of the disturbed areas.
FISCAL IMPACT
This repair will continue to be funded under the Water Pipeline Replacement account 908163620712.5703.10600, which has an available balance of $2,906,888. Total expenses are estimated to be less than $100,000; therefore, sufficient funds are available for this repair. A full accounting will be provided to Council, once the work is completed.
Water usage and service charges, in the Water Fixed Asset Replacement Fund, are the source of funding for this project.
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
The Utilities Commission will receive a project update at its regularly scheduled meeting on January 21, 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, Principal Water Engineer
Reviewed by: Lindsay Leahy, Water Utilities Director
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager