02/16/18 - Dewatering and Preparation for Ocean Outfall Connection

Project Update:

Dewatering and Preparation for Ocean Outfall Connection

Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA, February 16, 2018

Construction work continues on the Land Outfall Replacement Project by the San Elijo Joint Powers Authority and general contractor, J.R. Filanc. Project information can be found at www.sejpa.blogspot.com and www.sejpa.org.

Over the past two weeks, the project team began the process of connecting the newly installed HDPE land outfall pipe to the existing ocean outfall system. This involves a 30-foot deep excavation, dewatering, and safety work at the Cardiff State Beach workpad, as well as trenching at the SEJPA facility on Manchester Avenue.

Here are the key updates on our progress:

• Dewatering of the beach excavation site is ongoing and the water leaving the worksite is clean ocean water. The process consists of pumping the ocean water seeping into the excavation back on to the beach (if you’ve ever dug a hole in the sand, you can imagine this process on a larger scale).

• Last week, the contractor carefully located the existing ocean outfall pipe through a combination of digging and probing at the excavation site. Further dewatering is required to locate the exact connection points to the existing outfall beneath the workpad and to install a bypass piping system.

• Once the connection points are located the contractor will begin fabrication of the bypass piping. The bypass system will allow for a live connection to the existing ocean outfall, eliminating the need for any interruption in service.

• The contractor also installed shoring at the excavation site in order to safely work in the 30-foot deep excavation pit (see picture). Shoring supports the walls of the excavation to prevent the beach sand from collapsing on workers.

• At the water reclamation facility on Manchester Avenue, excavation and shoring are under way to connect the new outfall pipeline to the City of Escondido and SEJPA water effluent infrastructure.  

Ongoing trenching work in Manchester Avenue is expected through March 2018 and may temporarily impact access to the San Elijo Nature Center.  Every effort is being made to reduce any inconvenience to the community.

The San Elijo Joint Powers Authority is a local wastewater and recycled water agency serving the communities of Cardiff, Olivenhain, Solana Beach, Del Mar, and Rancho Santa Fe. This project will safeguard public health, protect the local environment, and preserve public recreation opportunities along the beaches of Encinitas, Cardiff, and Solana Beach. Thank you for your patience while we work to protect our community and coastline.

Contact: 

Mike Konicke

760.753.6203 x77

konickem@sejpa.org