News Flash Home
The original item was published from 8/27/2019 6:52:00 PM to 8/28/2019 5:37:42 PM.

News Flash

Public Works-News

Posted on: August 20, 2019

[ARCHIVED] Keeping Sewer Pipelines Flowing

workers in a manhole and workers cleaning sewer line

Our Public Works & Utilities team takes pride in
delivering high quality utility services. Dedicated staffoperate and maintain City infrastructure and provide
the essential services that 65,000 residents depend ondaily. Your utility bill payments fund and support critical
infrastructure improvements that allow us to providereliable water, garbage, and sewer services.


KEEPING SEWER PIPELINES FLOWING



Our Sewer Collections team operates and maintains over 125 miles of sewer pipelines, 80 miles of storm sewer lines, 14 storm sewer pump stations and 14 sewer lift stations to ensure wastewater arrives to the Treatment Plant without problems. Many of Watsonville's sewer pipes were constructed over 80 years ago and did not account for additional flow create by recent development. To prevent sewer overflows and keep our system flowing, we've been repairing and replacing deteriorated lines, lift stations, and manholes.




crew working in a manhole


SEWER MAIN IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

  • Installed 16 new manholes
  • Cleaned over 200 feet of sewer pipeline
  • Video inspected 9,000 feet of sewer lines

SEWER SYSTEM REPLACEMENT PROJECTS

  • Davis Ave. & Carey Ave.
  • Progress Ave.
  • Union St.
  • Miles Lane
  • Rogge Lane
  • Carr St. & Center St.
  • None Ave. to Whitney Ave.


REPLACING AGING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE



Crew paving the open trench after replacing water main pipe
Replacing Aging Water Infrastructure The Water Main Replacement Program is a proactive plan to replace and improve our aging water infrastructure before unexpected breaks or disruptions occur. This year our Water Service Division replaced almost 2 miles of water lines that were over 80 years old, added new hydrants and service lines, and paved those street areas.

Water Main Improvement Projects Completed in 2018/2019

--Marchant St.

--Maple St.

--Bockius St.

--Grant St.

--Elm St.

--Blackburn St.

Our staff plans, designs, and constructs all aspects of the Water Main Replacement Program, allowing us to keep costs low to continue delivering safe drinking water.


Two water division staff members replacing pipes one is in the trench


HANDLING OUR CITY'S SOLID WASTE

Woman checking food waste binNow that our landfill has reached capacity and closed, all garbage
and recyclables are being transported to Monterey Regional WasteManagement District in Marina for disposal. This year the Solid
Waste division invested in two new garbage trucks to manageconstruction and development waste throughout town.


COLLECTING FOOD SCRAPS

A new State mandate requires cities to collect food scraps
separately for composting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.In order to comply, our Solid Waste team has begun:
● Collecting food scrap recycling from over 50 businesses● Working with schools to initiate food scraps recycling
● Developing a pilot program for residential food scrap collections
composting bin


ENSURING YOUR WATER QUALITY - FROM WELL TO TAP

Every day our Public Works & Utilities Water Department pumps, treats, tests, and delivers nearly 7 million gallons of safe drinking water from local City groundwater wells and creeks to your homes, schools, and businesses. Our potable water meets all State and Federal drinking water regulation
Individual holding up a sample in a lab and testing it
At Watsonville’s State-certified WaterQuality Lab, our Lab Techs. test 20-
30 potable water samples weekly forbacteria, color, odor, and turbidity

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Public Works-News