DATE: April 8, 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 April 2025, Cass Arrieta, the City's emergency contractor began work to repair a leak in the 18-inch Mesa Loma Water Main within the Loma Alta Creek directly north of the NCTD tracks. 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. 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 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.
Construction of the new replacement main is complete and has passed pressure testing. Cass Arrieta has demobilized all equipment and is preparing final billing. The waterline is expected to be back in service by the end of March 2026 once City operations staff completes proper flushing, disinfection, and bacteriological testing.
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 suppor...
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