OMWD Construction Projects

OMWD has several active and upcoming projects in its service area. Updates and important announcements on OMWD’s larger capital improvement projects can be found on this page. If you have additional questions, please email our Engineering Department or call 760-632-4235.

Current and Upcoming Projects:

• Unit A Pipeline Replacement Project
• Recycled Water Pipeline Extensions for Calle Barcelona, Village Park, and Summerhill Project
• 4S Ranch Neighborhood 1 Sewer Pump Station Replacement Project

Unit A Pipeline Replacement Project

OMWD takes a proactive approach in repairing and replacing aging water infrastructure. These proactive measures help prevent disruptive main breaks and ensure the reliability of services in our community.

An existing pipeline originally installed in 1961 on Rancho Santa Fe Road between Las Olas Court and Avenida La Posta in Carlsbad and Encinitas is approaching the end of its lifespan. Beginning in July 2024, this project will replace approximately 1,500 feet of 12-inch drinking water pipeline. Construction of the new pipeline is expected to be complete in late 2024.

A city-approved traffic management plan will be implemented during construction to minimize disruptions and ensure continued access to both Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary and Diegueño Middle School. Work is scheduled to take place mostly during the day, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Limited overnight work is anticipated, and any impacted customers will receive advance notification of any planned water service interruptions.

For questions and comments, please email projects@olivenhain.com. Project updates will be posted to OMWD’s Facebook and X accounts.

Recycled Water Pipeline Extensions for Calle Barcelona, Village Park, and Summerhill Project

OMWD receives 100 percent of its drinking water supply from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the Colorado River. These sources are distant from OMWD and have become unreliable due to droughts and overuse. Recycled water is locally produced, disinfected wastewater that is used for irrigation. Not only is it a drought-resilient supply, but recycled water also costs less than potable water. In addition, using recycled water reduces the amount of treated wastewater discharged to the ocean and reduces our dependence on imported water from faraway sources.

OMWD has identified opportunities to connect more customers to its recycled water distribution system. Construction will take place at three different sites in the cities of Encinitas and Carlsbad to install 5,600 feet of new recycled water pipelines. The completion of the pipeline extensions will result in the conversion of 28 water meters from potable to recycled water, saving more than 12.5 million gallons of imported drinking water every year.

Construction is underway with completion of the project expected in 2025. Due to the locations of the project, work is scheduled to take place Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Additionally, restricted work hours of 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Fridays, will be in effect for any work impacting schools in the immediate project areas. No impacts to customers’ drinking water supplies are anticipated. OMWD is coordinating with the cities of Carlsbad and Encinitas on a traffic management plan to minimize construction traffic. For more information on how OMWD works to mitigate construction traffic, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP4RQpJomBk.

One phase of the project is located in the area of Park Dale Lane, Village Park Way, Village Green Road, and Gatepost Road in the city of Encinitas.

Another phase of the project is located along Calle Barcelona and adjacent streets, from Rancho Santa Fe Road to Calle Acervo in the city of Carlsbad.

A third project location is on Summerhill Drive and Village Center Drive in the city of Encinitas.

Homeowner associations along the project alignments that are currently using potable water for landscape irrigation will be able to take advantage of this lower-cost, drought-resistant local source of irrigation water. OMWD was successful in achieving approximately $900,000 in grant funding to make this project cost-effective for ratepayers. Specifically, both the US Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources are contributing grant funds to offset project costs.

The recycled water supplied by OMWD undergoes the highest level of treatment for non-potable applications, which is referred to as disinfected tertiary treatment. Disinfected tertiary recycled water has been determined to be safe for applications with public exposure, such as irrigation of parks and schools, decorative fountains, or artificial snowmaking. While this recycled water is not intended for direct human consumption, it poses no threat to public health from accidental contact. 

For questions and comments, please email projects@olivenhain.com.

4S Ranch Neighborhood 1 Sewer Pump Station Replacement Project

Pump stations are used throughout sewer collection systems to collect and push wastewater to higher elevations to connect to main lines that feed into reclamation facilities.

A sewer pump station located near the south end of 4S Ranch Parkway near the 4S Ranch Sports Park and Stone Ranch Elementary School has been identified as in need of replacement. The existing pump station is nearing the end of its useful lifespan. The new pump station will be more suitable for local conditions, more efficient in its operation, and will increase reliability and safety.

Construction of the new pump station began in September 2022 and is anticipated to be completed in summer 2024. Due to the location, work will take place in the daytime, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. and we do not anticipate any interruptions in service nor traffic impacts to the surrounding area.

OMWD is committed to providing reliable service to its wastewater customers, and projects such as this are vital to ensure the continuity of our service. 

Since pipes have a limited lifespan, OMWD invests in proactively repairing and replacing pipes throughout its service area, ensuring reliable water service to its customers. Many water agencies in California are tackling similar issues associated with aging infrastructure. View the video below to see how others in the water industry are also prioritizing pipe replacement.