The Problem
The City of Placerville has a population of 10,350 and owns and operates its own potable water storage and distribution facilities.
The project will help to ensure the reliability of the City’s water supply deliveries and help conserve the water that is being lost through the aging leaky pipeline system. The waterlines to be replaced are the City’s highest priority pipeline improvements, and contribute significantly to the 20% of water that is unaccounted for within the City’s distribution system and which is higher than the 10% expected for urban water systems. These losses are primarily due to infrastructure age, some of which date back to the Gold Rush, and for this particular project, pipelines dating back to the early 1900’s.
In addition to reducing water loss, these infrastructure upgrades will improve public health and safety that is currently at risk by providing minimum flow requirements for fire protection for local resources, properties and people.
The Solution
The project consists of replacing and relocating water distribution pipeline sections that are: 1) deteriorated and leaking, 2) undersized for domestic and fire protection needs, and/or 3) poorly located for maintenance due to inaccessibility. The implementation of the project will be phased; in Phase I, which is the subject of this grant, the City will replace waterlines A and AA located on Pardi Way, waterline B on Big Cut Road, waterline C on Gilmore Street and waterline D on Sacramento Street. In Phase II, to be constructed under a subsequent grant application, the City proposes to replace waterlines CC, E and F. For Phase I, approximately 3,700 feet of 8-inch and 12-inch replacement pipeline will be installed within existing road rights-of-way and utility easements.
Current Status (December 2016)
Design and permitting work is complete and construction contract award was made in August 2016. Construction and installation of the waterlines and service connections will begin in early 2017.
Lead Agency: City of Placerville
Contact: City Engineer, Rebecca Neves P.E. 530-642-5526, rneves@cityofplacerville.org
Measurable Physical Benefit: Water Supply
Watershed: American
County: El Dorado