Oro Loma to replace 40 miles of pipes by 2027

The Oro Loma Board challenged staff with the question, “What would it take to ensure that the sewer pipes in our community are healthier in 10 years than they are today?” The answer was to significantly reduce the number of pipes designated for repair. In short, the District needed to replace 40 miles of pipe before 2027.

During pipe replacement, the old clay pipes are replaced with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes. HDPE is strong, flexible, does not allow tree roots to clog the system, and it limits rainwater from entering the system. In time, the new pipe will be more reliable, require less maintenance, and contribute to the health of the San Francisco Bay.

Infrastructure Money Comes to Our Community

Officials in Washington DC frequently talk about the need for infrastructure improvements and money to pay for them. The “40 Miles by 2027” project is a positive example of how infrastructure money flows into our local community. To fund the work, the District received two loans totaling $50M at an average interest rate of 1.4%.

Funding partners

The District thanks its funding partners, the State of California Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and EPA Water Infrastructure Financing and Innovation Act (WIFIA), for enabling the District to save its customers millions of dollars by securing below market financing for these necessary wastewater collection system improvements. The District has already started the project and will provide updates as the work progresses. You may contact the District at info@OroLoma.org if you have questions.

The Board also established a strategic goal of setting sewer rates to fund its pipe replacement needs without borrowing in the future. The low interest loans serve as a bridge between the current rates (see chart below) and a sustainable rate by 2029. The District will achieve a sustainable rate by gradually raising rates and lowering the backlog of required work. Without a backlog, the plan is to replace pipes at a pace that matches the ongoing need. Typically, sewer replacement projects take about 21 days to complete. Sewer service is maintained at all times during the process. The District acknowledges that construction work in the street can cause traffic delays and the District thanks its customers for their patience.