The Sweetwater Authority Governing Board will break ground this summer with two Pipeline Replacement Program projects in National City, and a Master Plan Program project in Bonita, totaling $2.4 million.
SRK Engineering won the contract for construction that will begin in June and is slated for completion by December 2022. The proposed pipeline replacement projects are located on Bucky Lane, between E. 43rd Street to Sill Street and 24th Street in National City, and on Sweetwater Road and Pray Street in Bonita.
According to a memo issued to the governing board on April 14, the Pipeline Replacement Program in National City consists of new 8-inch PVC water main in Bucky Lane, from East 43rd Street to Sill Street, to replace 8-inch welded steel mains installed around 1954-1960. The program will also replace a new 12-inch PVC welded steel water main installed in 1952 on East 24th Street; and an Authority-owned easement, from Grove Street to Euclid Avenue.
According to the governing board, the project's objective is to replace old pipes with a history of leaks and improve water service by providing a redundant water supply in case of an outage.
The Master Plan Program in Bonita consists of a new 12-inch PVC water main in Sweetwater Road, from Briarwood Road to Pray Street, and in Pray Street, from Sweetwater Road to approximately 200 linear feet north of Pray Court.
Installation of this pipeline will improve safe, reliable water service for the Bonita Highlands pressure zone by providing a secondary water supply that will allow the Bonita Golf Pump Station, according to the memo. This new installation would allow over 175 customers would stay in service in the event of an outage, and continue to provide fire protection for the pressure zone.
The Sweetwater Authority said it received a total of five bids for construction, but SRK Engineering submitted the “lowest, most responsive, and responsible bid”.
“We have worked diligently to prioritize maintenance projects in our community to ensure system reliability. We are excited for these pipeline projects that will break ground this summer in Bonita and the City of National City," Sweetwater Authority Chair Alejandra Sotelo-Solis said.
The Sweetwater Authority said it will communicate directly with impacted customers, post updates on its website and social media platforms once construction begins.
