The District is putting the final touches on updates to the Capital Improvement Program (“CIP”) – our ten-year plan of future infrastructure improvements that are determined to be necessary to maintain the water and sewer systems in full working order. Some improvements are needed to replace aging infrastructure, some are designed to expand capacity, and others are needed to keep up with regulatory requirements. Some projects are unique, like adding a new digester at a treatment plant, while others, like main replacements, are part of an ongoing cycle of upgrades that occur every year.
Replacing water mains, particularly those made of asbestos/concrete, is a yearly occurrence. These replacements will be part of our planned annual system upgrades for years to come. Similarly, rehabilitating sewer lines to prevent the flow of water into the wastewater collection system, is going to be a recurring upgrade. Without these repairs, which mostly involve the lining of existing mains and sewer laterals, water flowing into the pipe during large rain events uses up needed capacity at the treatment plants.
One of the largest projects on the CIP involves upgrades to the solids handling systems at the Lakota Treatment Plant which will increase capacity through improvements to the conveyance and processing systems is a priority. The Redondo Treatment Plant requires significant upgrades to its electrical system as well as the addition of a new bio-tower to process treated solids.
All of these projects are necessary to the continued sustainability of the water and sewer systems. Unfortunately, the cost of construction has increased rapidly over the past several years. We will do our best to manage these projects as economically as possible.