Avalon Sewer System Rehabilitation and Replacement

Avalon, Catalina Island, California

For several years, Avalon Bay was listed on Heal the Bay’s Beach Report Card Beach Bummer List due to poor water quality resulting from a sewer system that was severely aged and in disrepair, causing sanitary sewer overflows and exfiltration into the bay. The city made repairs to their wastewater system over the years, but water quality improvements continued to fall short of meeting Regional Water Quality Control Board standards.

Michael Baker provided comprehensive engineering and program management services for the inspection and rehabilitation of the city's 20-mile sanitary sewer system. Services included engineering design, bidding-phase support and construction management at-risk for the complete rehabilitation and repair of the entire sewer collection system and the development of a compliance program for maintenance of the system, including a geographic information system (GIS)-based inspection and tracking system.

Our work program began with a system-wide, closed-circuit television (CCTV) condition assessment and prioritization program which identified critical deficiencies within the sewer system and allowed the city to focus construction dollars on red-flag areas that would achieve the most positive environmental impact.

Subsequently, we provided the design for repairs and rehabilitation projects identified by the CCTV assessment. These projects included the replacement of approximately 5,000 feet of six-inch to 10-inch pipe, various spot repairs, installation of new manholes and rehabilitation of existing manholes and 3,000 feet of pipeline rehabilitation using cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) techniques.

To address the build-up of fats, oils and grease (FOG) creating blockages in certain sewer lines, we developed a compliance program for the city's more than 60 restaurants. The program involved the development of data management and enforcement procedures and the preparation of field compliance reports and inspections of food-service establishments for kitchen best management practices (BMPs), proper equipment and use of grease traps and interceptors. The program also provides education and outreach to residents.   

Impact

“The progress made in improving water quality in Avalon Bay has been monumental. The positive effects of the comprehensive sewer improvement program can be observed in the significant overall reduction in bacterial levels in the bay.”

John H.
Project Manager

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