DATE: March 11, 2026
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 in the segment north of the tracks, approximately 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, the existing pipe that had been isolated for the repair work was pressure tested and failed to hold pressure. Another leak was been 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 construction of 150 feet of PVC pipe to replace the existing steel pipe with a more corrosion-resistant system.
Construction activities within the creek are highly dependent on site access and dewatering conditions. Recent storms and elevated groundwater levels have limited safe access at times, and the contractor has paused certain work activities during wet periods, resuming when conditions allow. Completion is currently anticipated in March 2026, subject to weather and site conditions.
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 repair the initial defect 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 north of the tracks. Change Order No. 3, executed on January 14, 2026, in the amount of $896,348.47 was for the replacement of additional pipe south of the tracks. All change orders were approved under the City’s emergency procurement policy.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the emergency water main repair is from the Water Fixed Asset Replacement Fund (712), and is charged to the Water Pipeline Replacement Account 908163620712.
The total estimated project cost is $2.67 million which includes emergency construction, pipe rehabilitation, permitting, railroad coordination, and engineering and support services required to complete repairs north of the railroad tracks and address remaining deficiencies south of the tracks. Staff will return with a final accounting of actual costs upon project completion.
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 March 17, 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