Repair of Repair Completed on Pipeline

A major water pipeline is expected to be back in full operation today after several leaks forced a delay in reopening it, authorities said.

As the Pomerado pipeline was being reopened Saturday, repair crews discovered water outside the pipe, which indicated there were some leaks, said Jim Melton, spokesman for the San Diego County Water Authority.

The 7-foot-diameter pipeline carries water from Riverside County to districts serving more than 375,000 customers in much of southern and eastern San Diego County.

The water was removed from the line Sunday, and welders were called in to reweld breaks found in three sections, he said. The breaks were found where the existing pipe had been welded to the replacement pipe.

The work was completed about 1 a.m. Monday, and repressurization of the line resumed Monday afternoon, Melton said. The process was expected to take about 14 hours.

Water delivery had been halted since June 2 to the Helix, Otay, Sweetwater, Padre Dam, Lakeside and Riverview water districts while repairs were made on six sections of pipe. A total of 144 feet of corroded pipe was replaced where the pipe crosses Miramar Naval Air Station east of Interstate 15.

The Pomerado line transports treated and filtered water from Lake Skinner in Riverside County to consumers in San Diego County.

While the repairs were under way, the affected water agencies purchased water from the city of San Diego and other sources, and residents were asked to cut back on outdoor and non-essential indoor uses. Once water service resumes, the agencies will continue the 20% cutback program in effect countywide because of the drought.