Multi-Year Rehabilitation & Gravity Relief Sewer Improvements

Since 2014, Harris has been a trusted partner of the Ross Valley Sanitation District, providing essential sewer rehabilitation services to improve aging infrastructure and enhance system reliability. Over the past decade, Harris has completed the inspection, evaluation, and design for the rehabilitation and upgrade of approximately 210,000 linear feet (LF) of sanitary sewer pipes, ranging from 4 to 24 inches in diameter.

Core Elements 

• Scope: Inspection, evaluation, and design of 210,000 LF of sanitary sewer pipes
• Pipe Sizes: Ranging from 4 to 24 inches in diameter
• Community Engagement: Assisted the District with Public workshops, resident outreach, and minimized traffic impact through implementing various trenchless technology methods.
• Construction Methods: Trenchless technology, pipe bursting, open-cut trenching, pilot-tube guided auger boring, and cured-in-place pipe lining
• Traffic Management: Construction scheduled to minimize school and community disruptions

Beyond the Blueprints

A key component of these projects was minimizing disruption to the local community. Many of the infrastructure improvements were highly visible and of great interest to residents. To proactively address community concerns, Harris facilitated multiple public workshops, hand-delivered informational brochures to hundreds of homes, and provided regular updates about potential construction-related traffic delays.

To further reduce impacts, Harris implemented trenchless technology where applicable, allowing for efficient pipe rehabilitation with minimal surface disruption. Harris incorporated schedule requirements into contract specifications to make construction occur while schools were out of session in affected areas, effectively preventing traffic congestion in critical areas. The team leveraged the District’s preferred pipe bursting method with HDPE fusion-welded pipe for most segments, facilitating a durable and seamless upgrade. Where pipe bursting was not suitable, open-cut trenching was used, and for areas where neither method was viable, cured-in-place pipe lining was considered as a cost-effective and minimally invasive alternative.

Through this strategic, multi-phased approach, over the years Harris has successfully helped the Ross Valley Sanitation District complete over 40 miles of sewer rehabilitation, strengthening the District’s infrastructure for future generations. Leveraging our working knowledge of Ross Valley Sanitation District and the needs of their stakeholders, Harris continues to support the District in achieving its long-term infrastructure goals.