San Diego, CA … The City of San Diego Water Department is preparing to install the Black Mountain Road Reclaimed Water “Gap” Pipeline, a stretch of pipeline along Black Mountain Road that will bring together several important projects in the North City Reclaimed Water System.

The Black Mountain Road Reclaimed Water Gap Pipeline will consist of approximately 11,000 feet of 24-inch pipe, between Twin Trails Drive to the south, and Carmel Valley Road to the north. This project is an important component of the North City Reclaimed Water System because it will fill in the “gap” between the Black Mountain Road Reclaimed Water Pipeline to the south, which will be completed in July 2003, and the recycled water line being installed in the Black Mountain Ranch Development to the north by Santaluz/Taylor Woodrow.

Excel Commercial Contractors began potholing along the alignment this month to verify the location of existing utilities along Black Mountain Road. Construction of this reclaimed water pipeline is scheduled to begin in late July of this year and is scheduled to be complete by winter 2004. Work will take place Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The estimated project cost is $5.3 million and is funded by water rates, revenue bonds, capacity charges, and grants from both the State of California and United States Bureau of Reclamation.

Once complete, the Black Mountain Road Reclaimed Water Gap Pipeline will provide reclaimed water for irrigation, industrial and other non-drinking uses to the Black Mountain Ranch developments, the Olivenhain Municipal Water District and future reclaimed water customers in northern San Diego.

“Using and expanding the City’s recycled water system will offset potable water usage, adding capacity to the treated water system,” said project manager Michael Marks. “In addition, it will free up imported untreated aqueduct water for uses further south in the regional water system, making this a significant regional benefit, both economically and environmentally.”

This project is a result of the City’s December 2000 Updated Reclaimed Water Master Plan. This study provided a review of the City’s existing recycled water program as well as strategies for the development of a recycled water system to cost-effectively serve customers in the City of San Diego northern region. The study also provides a strategy for the City to meet the North City Environmental Protection Agency grant goals, which are to reuse 25 percent (6 million gallons per day) of the flows treated at the North City Water Reclamation Plant by December 31, 2003 and 50 percent of the flows (12 mgd) by December 31, 2010.

The Reclaimed Water Master Plan and its components are part of the City of San Diego Water Department’s citywide Capital Improvements Program (CIP). Water infrastructure improvements (replacements, upgrades and expansions) are underway throughout the City’s water system, including pipelines, water pump stations, reservoirs and treatment plants. These improvements will help ensure a safe and reliable water supply, protecting the region’s job base, environment and overall quality of life for future generations.

Additional information about this project and other important infrastructure projects can be found online at www.sandiego.gov/water. Or, contact the Capital Improvements Public Information Line at (619) 533-4679 for additional details. To receive the semi-monthly project email update please send email gblock@sandiego.gov.