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Construction on pipelines set to start

 

Preparation work has begun in the Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District for two pipeline construction projects - replacement of a 5,700 foot section of the district's main sewer trunk and the installation of a recycled water pipeline for the North Bay Water Reuse Authority's North Bay Water Recycling Program.

The district's sewer replacement project is a component of its capital improvement plan to replace aging and structurally deficient pipes that collect wastewater and deliver it to the district's treatment plant.

The replacement project is taking place between Watmaugh Road, east of Shainsky Road, and the district's wastewater treatment plant located at 22675 Eighth St. E. The 50-year-old existing sewer, constructed of reinforced concrete pipe, will be replaced with new PVC pipe material ranging in size from 30 inches to 42 inches in diameter. Construction activities will include open-cut trenching and trenchless construction methods under a portion of Schell Creek.

Construction activities will take place on 16 private properties. Construction is slated to be completed by Nov. 1. The total cost of the replacement project is approximately $1.8 million and was included in the district's fiscal year 2010-11 Capital Replacement Budget.

"The Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District's sewage collection system is aging with a majority of its pipelines reaching 50 years or older. Sewage pipeline replacement projects are essential to ensure public health and protect the environment," said district and water agency Director Valerie Brown.

The installation of a recycled water main pipe for the authority will parallel the district's main sewer trunk replacement project. The two pipes are being installed at the same time to save money for both the district and authority. Construction for both pipeline projects will be performed under contract with Sierra Mountain Construction, Inc., a San Francisco pipeline construction firm, for the contract amount of $2,337,197. The project is being funded in part with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds administered by the Bureau of Reclamation. In May 2010, the authority was awarded $7.3 million by the ARRA toward the construction of projects that will expand recycled water use in the region.

"The ARRA funds will not only help build the authority's recycled water system, but create jobs in our community," said Brown. "Recycled water will help to ensure that there is a reliable, environmentally beneficial water supply to support the needs of our communities and economies."

The authority is a cooperative program in the North San Pablo Bay region that promotes sustainability and environmental enhancement by expanding use of recycled water. Under the North Bay Water Recycling Program, recycled water will be provided for agriculture, landscaping, and restoration of the Napa Salt Marsh. The recycled water will be produced at the district's wastewater treatment plant and delivered by new pipelines that will supply recycled water throughout the district and unincorporated areas of Sonoma County. Additional storage and pumping capacity will be added as needed.

To learn more about the district, its capital improvement plans and how the district operates, the public can register for a free tour of its treatment plant and meet with district staff at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19. Registration is required. To register, call Brad Sherwood at 547-1927 or sherwood@scwa.ca.gov and provide your name, phone number and street address.

For more information about the district's wastewater pipe replacement project, visit www.sonomacountywater.org/svcsd.