Large Pipeline Installation with Community Participation

The City of San Diego, California's Miramar Water Treatment Plant (WTP) upgrade and expansion project is the City's largest water department capital improvements project. The Miramar WTP is located in one of the City's most prominent and politically astute communities, Scripps Ranch. The community has seen its share of major pipelines tear up its streets over the last several years, including regional aqueduct lines ranging from 54- to 96-inch (1350- to 2400-millimeter) in diameter to this project's recent installation of 36- to 108-inch (900- to 2700-millimeter) pipelines crossing through some of the community's most active areas. Recognizing the community's sensitivity to the project, the City actively approached all identified representative community groups to participate in a community advisory group (CAG) that would be in place throughout the design and construction of the project. Through the City's proactive approach, the CAG not only participated in construction sequencing, design and alignment decisions, and facility closure decisions, they took ownership in the project and supported the City when other community members raised issues. A well planned community involvement program achieved early buy-in and ownership from the community, avoiding costly delays from public outcry during construction.