Calaveras County Water District crews performed an emergency leak repair between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday November 21 on the old section of the Reach 3A water transmission pipeline, which runs through downtown Arnold and has reached the end of its useful life. Since spring 2016, the District has been working on a $5.3 million Capital Renovation and Replacement project to replace the old line, which was initially installed in 1965. Approximately 80 percent of the old pipe has been replaced, and this water leak occurred in the remaining portion of the pipeline that has yet to be upgraded. The project is expected to be complete in spring 2017, and engineers expect the new pipeline will last up to 75 years.

“This emergency leak repair is just another example of why the Reach 3A Pipeline Replacement Project is so important,” said Dave Eggerton, CCWD general manager. “This pipeline is years past its useful life, and we appreciate the public’s understanding as we conduct this construction work in their community. We’re really looking forward to taking this old, failing pipeline out of service, and putting a new, high quality water delivery system in place to provide uninterrupted service for our customers in Arnold.”

The old Reach 3A pipeline has been plagued with leaks in past years, many of which caused major disruptions in water service to homes and businesses in the Arnold area. The District recognized the importance of replacing this line to protect public safety and ensure safe, reliable water service to the Arnold community, and the project was put at the top of the Capital R&R list in 2013. Read more about the Reach 3A Pipeline Replacement Project here.

Anyone with questions may contact Joel Metzger at 209-754-3123 or joelm@ccwd.org.