Allen-McColloch Pipeline Slated for Major Repairs

A pipeline that ruptured last year in what one official called a “catastrophic failure,” disrupting the water supply to 500,000 South Orange County residents, will have 18 major sections replaced before summer, officials said Tuesday.

The Metropolitan Water District’s board allocated $4.5 million to fix the Allen-McColloch Pipeline during two shutdowns in late April and early May.

“This will greatly reduce the probability of another rupture,” said Eddie Rigdon, a Metropolitan operations manager.

The 26-mile pipeline from Yorba Linda to Lake Forest supplies much of south Orange County with water from the Colorado River and Northern California. In December, the pipeline ruptured near Portola Parkway in Irvine, spewing massive amounts of water. Water officials said an “operational error” caused the break.

Subsequent inspections revealed that sections of the pipe have broken wires and hundreds of leaks, Rigdon said. “We identified the sections of pipe that are of highest concern.”

Metropolitan workers plan to replace those sections in two phases: April 25-28 and May 2-16. To avoid disruptions in service, spokesman Bob Muir said, the district is working with local water agencies to keep surplus supplies high. Also, he said, the district plans to supply some customers temporarily with water from another pipeline.

Still, Muir said, some voluntary water conservation may be required. “Some consumers may be called on to cut back to watering their lawns twice a week or taking shorter showers,” he said.