The 2013-14 Water Main Replacement Project includes a one-half mile segment of new pipe along Trinity Drive (between Tioga Drive and Klamath Drive) and Trinity Court. This will replace existing water mains that had three major breaks over the last six years that were apparently caused by local ground movement. To address and prevent similar breaks in the future, staff proposes a pilot project to install Kubota brand Earthquake Resistant Ductile Iron Pipe (ERDIP). This Japanese product has been installed throughout the world, including over 33,000 miles of pipe in Japan which survived the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake (magnitude 9). The cities of Los Angeles, CA, and Portland, OR, have already installed it, and cities including San Francisco, CA, and Vancouver, BC, as well as the East Bay Municipal Utility District have plans to install it.

The project’s Plans and Specifications were designed to provide flexibility in choosing the pipe materials. While the Kubota ERDIP is specified as the pipe material for the basis of bid, there is also a process included for consideration of alternate materials based upon specified criteria. These bid alternates are included to allow for substitution of standard ductile iron pipe instead of the Kubota brand if the cost is prohibitive. Staff is proposing this as a pilot project in anticipation of the City’s Water System Master Plan which should be completed in Winter 2015. The goal is to evaluate use of the ERDIP for back-bone water pipeline infrastructure, which would provide enhanced reliability and safety of our emergency water supply system. The project is currently out to bid and staff plans to recommend award of contract at the August 19, 2014, City Council meeting.