The Santa Clara Valley Water District broke ground earlier this year on the Main Avenue and Madrone Pipeline Restoration Project, according to district staff.
The large infrastructure project will install approximately 2.7 miles of raw water pipeline to improve groundwater replenishment in South County.
The new pipeline will carry water from Anderson Reservoir to the Main Avenue Perc Ponds and Madrone Channel, where the raw water will slowly seep into the district’s groundwater supplies.
The project, which is located between the Cochrane Road, East Main Avenue and Half Road public rights-of-way, is estimated to be completed in July 2019. There will be traffic delays in those areas during construction.
“This project will be constructed in three phases to minimize impacts to existing groundwater recharge operations and lessen impacts to the community,” according to the SCVWD’s January newsletter. “Installing the new pipeline system and related facilities will help ensure a safe, reliable water delivery system for Morgan Hill residents.”
Local residents will be informed of any construction-related schedule and traffic impacts throughout the project. Construction hours will be from 8am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday, according to staff.
Phase 1 is ongoing; Phase 2 is expected to begin in late June; and Phase 3 is slated to start in early November (See map). SCVWD staff intend to send project reminders with details and other critical information as they complete each phase and prepare for the next.
Morgan Hill residents get 100 percent of their drinking water from local groundwater sources. This project will help ensure a reliable water supply for South County by restoring existing infrastructure to refill the Llagas groundwater basin, spanning across Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy, according to SCWD staff.
During construction of phase 1, motorists should use Peet Road to bypass construction on Cochrane Road between Half Road and Cochrane Road. Motorists should use Elm Avenue to bypass construction on Cochrane Road between Half Road and East Main Avenue.
The project is estimated to cost approximately $17.7 million. It is partially funded ($6.3 million) by the voter-approved Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program. The remaining $11.4 million comes from the district’s Water Utility Enterprise Fund, which consists in large part from groundwater and treated water charges.
For project updates, visit valleywater.org/project-updates/infrastructure-improvement-projects/main-ave-madrone-pipelines-restoration
