San Diego Recycled Water System Upgrades - Design/Build

Harris has helped San Diego comply with state-mandated requirements to eliminate connections between stormdrains and recycled water systems. Fifteen pressure-reducing water valve vaults in the area have now been modified in accordance with Title 22 standards to divert recycled water overflow away from percolation and storm drain systems, and safely toward sewer systems that have been updated since the original installations.

Harris & Associates provided complete design services to the prime contractor for this design-build project. The design-build procurement allowed the project to be accelerated to meet the drainage requirements of California Water Code Section 13529.2 within the prescribed deadline.

Core Elements

The $1.6 million project included:

• Custom design solutions at each location
• Piping relocations and abandonments
• Access Rehabilitation
• Trenchless construction under existing vaults
• Retrofitting of gravity and pumped sump systems
• Coordinated installation of state-of-the art Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems

The sites were scattered across the city. Harris gathered data, prepared base mapping, conducted site investigations, identified issues, and developed customized solutions for each issue at each site.

Beyond the Blueprints

The project's community outreach program played a crucial role. Project services included providing advance notice to everyone within 300 feet of the pressure-reducing recycled water valve vaults and coordination of construction impacts. Signs were posted at each site and with a 24-hour phone number residents could call with any questions or concerns.