News Release: EVWD Completes Critical Pipeline and Begins New Projects

Saturday, July 3rd, 2010 News

EVWD Completes Critical Pipeline and Begins New Projects

Highland, Calif., (July 2, 2010) – A critical water main replacement project that will benefit customers near Union Street, Vine Street and Fairfax Lane is complete. East Valley Water District engineers and construction crews worked on the pipeline for several months. The $500,000 project is one of many capital improvements the District has planned over the next three years.

Crews will break ground for another new pipeline along Live Oak Avenue later this month as part of a project that will replace more than 2500 feet of substandard water mains in several neighborhoods, including Crest Street, Bruce Street and Hill View Street.

“Many of the District improvements are standard replacement projects, however two key projects were prompted by new state and federal regulations that we must comply with,” said Robert E. Martin, EVWD General Manager. “Of course, we want to move quickly on these mandates because they support our mission to provide customers with safe and reliable drinking water.”

Upgrades to the treatment plant at Highland Avenue and the 330 Freeway, plus designing and building a new treatment plant and booster station at Del Rosa Drive and 6th Street will enable the District to maintain its high quality standards and adhere to new regulations established by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

By early fall, Conejo Drive will be upgraded with about 2600 feet of 10-inch sewer pipe – up from the current 6-inch pipe. The larger main will allow for better sewage flow without interruption. Upcoming projects include improvements to Plant 143, which will reduce air in the pipes that deliver water to customer’s homes east of Boulder Avenue. Also, crews will continue the Sterling Pipeline Project and upgrade more than two miles of 30-inch pipe beginning at 6th Street and Lankershim Street to 3rd Street, east of Palm Avenue.

These capital improvement projects will cost the District more than $45 million. Nearly 70-percent of this budget is earmarked for the mandated projects the other 30-percent will go toward routine upgrades and facilities improvements. In order to comply with regulations and manage customer rates, the District secured a $3 million grant from the “Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Fund,” which is supported by the EPA and distributed through the CDPH. The District anticipates an additional $3 million grant by 2011. EVWD qualifies for more than $23 million in 0% interest loans, expected by next year.

An informational slide show was recently added to the District’s website, eastvalley.org, to show customers more about these projects.

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Watch a video about East Valley Water District improvements

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East Valley Water District was formed in 1954 to provide domestic water service to the unincorporated and agricultural-based communities of Highland and East Highlands. Today EVWD provides water and sewer collection services to about 68,000 people in western San Bernardino County. EVWD operates under the direction of a 5-member elected Board. The Mission of East Valley Water District is to provide its customers with a safe and reliable water supply that is delivered at a fair and cost-effective price. More information is available at www.eastvalley.org.

Media Contact:
Cara Van Dijk
760-776-1766 office
760-668-2424 cell