The Calaveras County Water District is approaching the finish line for its Reach 1 pipeline project on Highway 4 between Murphys and Avery. Reach 1 is a critical water transmission facility starting at CCWD’s treatment plant on Hunter Dam Road and ending east of Forest Meadows near Murphys. The original steel pipeline, installed in 1965, had reached the end of its useful life and had numerous leaks causing frequent disruption in water service to many customers along its path. Upon completion, the new heavy-duty ductile iron pipeline is expected to operate trouble free for many decades.

As of July 31, 2020, crews successfully placed the last stretch of 12-inch water main, completing the nearly 4.4 mile pipeline. The project is on-schedule to be completed this fall. During August, September, and October the crews will be going back through the project area installing secondary appurtenances, such as pressure regulating stations, fire hydrants, and air valves. Also during this period, other remaining tasks include pressure testing and disinfecting the pipeline, completing tie-in connections to the existing distribution system, installing new water services, removing temporary bypass piping, replacing pavement, and final site cleanup. Traffic control will continue but impacts to traffic should decrease as much of the work is on the shoulder.

Starting approximately September 28, 2020 and continuing into October, crews will be performing a series of critical tie-in connections along the new pipeline alignment that will require scheduled shutdowns of the water system. Customers will experience a temporary disruption in water service for approximately 8 hours, starting in the morning with water service restored that afternoon. These shutdowns will occur on different dates and will impact water customers at most locations served by the project including Strawberry Hill, Brice Station, Forest Meadows, Northwood Dr., Foster Ct., Meadowview Dr, Darby Russell Rd., Red Apple, Horseshoe Dr., Hathaway Pines, Canyon View, and Commercial Way. Notices will be issued by mid-September to let customers know specific dates and times their individual water service will be temporarily out of service for each shutdown.

CCWD will host virtual community meetings to provide additional updates and answer questions. Please join us on Tuesday, September 8, at noon (CANCELLED DUE TO POWER OUTAGE), or Tuesday September 15, at 5:30. Additional meetings will be scheduled, as needed.

Please see the linked press release for links to attend the virtual meeting.