DATE: April 22, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Water Utilities Department
TITLE: COMPLETION 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 authorize the City Engineer’s office to file a Notice of Completion with the County Recorder’s Office for emergency work to repair the 18-inch Mesa Loma Water Main at the Loma Alta Creek; and conclude the emergency due to the work being fully completed.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
Water Utilities staff detected decreased water pressure in the 18-inch Mesa Loma Water Main in January 2024, and identified a potential leak near the Loma Alta Creek and the North County Transit District (NCTD) railroad crossing. In April 2025, following condition assessments, field investigations, permitting, and environmental reviews, Cass Arrieta, the City’s emergency contractor, began work to repair a leak found directly north of the NCTD tracks (Repair No. 1). Subsequent inspections performed during construction revealed additional deficiencies in multiple joints near Repair No. 1 site.
To address the corrosion found in the segment north of the tracks, approximately 300 feet of the existing pipe was lined and final connections were completed on September 30, 2025 (Repair No. 2). Upon completion of Repair No. 2, the water main was pressure tested and failed to hold pressure. Another leak was found in the pipeline south of the railroad tracks where the existing steel pipeline has similar interior lining and corrosion defects. In December 2025, work began on the replacement of 150 feet of existing steel pipe south of the tracks with a more corrosion-resistant PVC pipeline (Repair No. 3).
Repair No. 3 was completed on March 20, 2026, and the new pipeline successfully passed the required pressure test. The Mesa Loma Water Main then underwent flushing, disinfection, and bacteriological testing. Following completion of the final round of testing, the water main was returned to service on April 13, 2026. The Mesa Loma pump station has also returned to normal emergency backup operation.
City staff will monitor and maintain the revegetated area of the project to ensure restoration goals are achieved per the requirements of the emergency permits obtained from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board. Maintenance and monitoring will be performed separate from the emergency procurement through an as-needed environmental services contract with Helix Environmental Planning, Inc.
Change Order No. 1 executed on August 6, 2025, in the amount of $182,966 increased Cass Arrieta’s original $100,000 emergency contract to $282,966 to complete Repair No. 1 in Loma Alta Creek. Change Order No. 2, executed on August 20, 2025, in the amount of $699,612, allowed for additional work associated with the liner installation. Both change orders were approved by the City Manager under the City’s emergency procurement policy.
Change Order No. 3 approved by City Council on January 14, 2026 for the amount of $896,348.47, included Repair No. 3 south of the tracks as well as a credit for balance unused on previous repairs.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the emergency water main repair is from the Water Fixed Asset Replacement Fund (712).
Total project expenses in the amount of $2,618,370, will be charged to the Water Pipeline Replacement Account 908163620712, which has total encumbered and appropriated funds of $2,889,005 as approved by City Council on January 14, 2026; therefore sufficient funds are available. Staff also recommends the previously appropriated $100,000 for Cass Arrieta’s purchase order be moved from the Water Pipeline Replacement Account, Infrastructure Construction (908163620712.5703.10600) to the Water Emergency Repair Account (908204225712.5703.10600). This is a new dedicated account for the next water infrastructure emergency.
Table 1.
|
Water Pipeline Replacement Project Account No. 908163620712 |
|
Total Encumbered and Appropriated Funds (Council Approved 01/14/2026) |
$2,889,005 |
|
Emergency Construction Costs (5703.10600) |
|
|
|
Cass Arrieta - Repairs 1-3 |
1,849,771 |
|
|
Pipe Rehabilitation/Lining - Repair 2 |
155,570 |
|
|
Permit Costs |
5,225 |
|
|
NCTD Flagging Services |
230,428 |
|
|
Subtotal |
$2,240,994 |
|
Engineering Services (As-Needed Contracts) 5305.10600 and 5305.10800 |
|
|
|
Helix Environmental Permits & Compliance |
$ 152,878 |
|
|
LGC Geotechnical Engineering |
15,204 |
|
|
Guida Surveying |
36,106 |
|
|
HDR Corrosion/Televising Video |
45,000 |
|
|
NV5 Engineering Support |
27,888 |
|
|
Project Management & Administrative Support |
100,300 |
|
|
Subtotal |
$ 377,376 |
|
Total Estimated Emergency Repair Cost |
$2,618,370 |
|
Remaining Project Account Balance |
$ 270,635 |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The Project is located in an environmentally sensitive area. In April 2025, emergency permits were secured from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the North County Transit District. Staff received an extension of emergency environmental permits for the proposed replacement on the southside of the railroad tracks to ensure compliance and minimize impacts.
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
The Utilities Commission was apprised of the project update at an as-needed meeting held on April 15, 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. Project Cost Report