CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The Citrus Heights Water District (CHWD) plans to replace more than 70 percent of its water mains by 2080.

“As the District looks ahead, a tidal wave of water main replacements may be needed beginning in year 2030 and carrying several years forward, as the water mains installed in the 1960s reach 70 years old,” said Missy Pieri, P.E., CHWD project manager.

CHWD’s ongoing water main replacement study is called “Project 2030,” the year construction will begin. The study is in its early phase of physical inspection as crews work to ensure long-term water supply reliability.

Today, CHWD operates and maintains over 250 miles of pipelines that distribute water throughout the District’s 12.8-square-mile service area.

Over 90 percent of CHWD’s 250 miles of water mains were installed by private developers, and then donated to CHWD District to own, operate and maintain, Pieri said.

In 1920, the original water district service area was 4.7 miles. Today, CHWD, which celebrated 100 years of service, has a service area which covers approximately 12.8 miles. Its overall service area urbanized mostly between the years 1960 to 1985.

“Replacing water mains before they reach critical condition is the safest and most cost-efficient way to address aging infrastructure,” she said. “Reliable water mains deliver water to our residences and businesses. Failed water mains can lead to service disruptions and water loss.”

Residential and commercial CHWD customers have seen the “Water Main Replacement Dedicated Charge” on their monthly bill.

Funds collected from that charge go towards Project 2030, the planned replacement of more than 70 percent aging water mains in its service area.

In these early stages, CHWD crews are performing condition assessments to identify and prioritize which sections of pipelines need to be replaced first.

In 2022, the CHWD reported five water main breaks. The causes of the breaks ranged from root intrusion to leaking joints. The reported water main breaks were on pipes ranging in age from 40 to 62 years old, Pieri said.

Water main failure can be caused by multiple issues, including age, pipe material and location.

The projected 50-year project cost for 180 miles of water mains is estimated to cost $390 million (in 2018 dollars) which includes construction, engineering and project management.

According to CHWD, this funding plan ensures inter-generational equity, which allows the responsibility of funding Project 2030 to be shared equally across current and future customers.

The oldest District water mains are generally found in the older geographical areas of now incorporated Citrus Heights.

“In-field inspection of its transmission (large diameter) water mains will continue to be conducted to verify the findings of the Project 2030 study,” she said. “Completion of this process will then help CHWD prioritize its overall water main replacement plan.”

The plan will also evaluate the physical size and capacity of water mains around existing and new well locations to verify that they are sufficiently sized to meet the future system’s water demands.

The water mains installed today are typically Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or Ductile Iron Pipe. The lifespan of these pipe types is 70 to 100 years, she said.

“As part of the water main replacement plan, water modeling will be performed to determine if the existing sizes of the water mains will meet the existing and estimated future system water demands,” she said.

In 1998, the CHWD developed its 30-year (1999-2030) Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Over the past 20 years, this plan has been a key planning tool which the District will use to determine its future annual capital improvement projects.

Project 2030 also looks at alternatives which it will have to consider as part of the larger capital improvement program requirements for the District, such as well development, meter replacement, other system infrastructure improvements, human resources (staffing), etc.

“CHWD long predates the City of Citrus Heights and has a well-established customer service area in Citrus Heights and surrounding areas. Water main alignments will be determined at the time of the actual water main replacement based upon cost and operational efficiency considerations,” she said.

“As water mains age, they become more prone to failure. A single failure can lead to a cascade of issues including service disruptions and potential property damage,” she said.

“The least expensive and most efficient way to address this is through a proactive, planned approach,” Pieri said.

For additional information about the Citrus Heights Water District Project 2030 Water Line replacement plan, visit: https://chwd.org/project-2030