DATE: December 17, 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 North County Transit District (NCTD). Cass Arrieta, the City’s emergency contractor, began work in April 2025. Initial repairs addressed significant damage to the pipeline within the creek directly north of the NCTD tracks, and subsequent inspections revealed additional deficiencies in multiple joints near the initial repair site.
To address the corrosion found north of the tracks, 300 feet of the existing pipe was lined and final connections 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. Another leak in the pipeline is suspected south of the railroad tracks where the existing steel pipeline was observed to have similar interior lining and corrosion defects. Repair options for this segment are being reviewed and are expected to involve replacement of approximately 150 feet of existing steel with a more corrosion resistant PVC pipe. Additional repair work is expected to commence in December 2025, once new permits are obtained from NCTD.
Estimated cost to replace the steel pipeline south of NCTD tracks is being evaluated based on the latest proposed design information. Staff has received an extension of the environmental and regulatory permitting for this additional work. Anticipate repairs to re-initiate in December and anticipated completion in January.
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 $2.1 million, covering construction, rehabilitation, engineering, permitting, and support services for the repairs completed north of the railroad tracks and the additional emergency repair work needed to address the remaining deficiencies in the line.
Staff will return with a report of costs once final billing is received, and with additional findings once new cost estimates for repair south of railroad tracks are evaluated.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The Project is located in an environmentally sensitive area. Staff has received an extension of emergency environmental permits for the proposed replacement on southside of railroad tracks to ensure compliance and minimize impacts.
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
The Utilities Commission will be apprised of the project update at its regularly scheduled meeting on January 20, 2026.
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
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Staff Report