Third and Forest Pipeline Project

City of Laguna Beach  |  2016

The City of Laguna Beach maintains and operates its own sewer collection system, most of which were constructed in the 1950s. Over the years, sewer improvements have upgraded the system without a master plan for construction. The resulting system is inefficient with gravity sewer flowing in different directions, but ultimately discharging into the existing Laguna SOCWA Lift Station.

In the area near City Hall, the existing sewer collection system included two inverted siphons and deteriorated piping with a high potential for leakage and discharge into the Pacific Ocean. The project was for removal or abandonment of the existing sewers, including the 24-inch trunk sewer behind City Hall, and replacing with an 18-inch sewer in front of City Hall.

Project construction included the following:

• Abandonment of approximately 1,600 lineal feet of 24-inch trunk sewer on Loma Terrace including four manholes;
• Abandonment of approximately 800 lineal feet of 15-inch inverted siphon on Mermaid Street including two manholes;
• Removal of approximately 750 lineal feet of 8-inch sewer on Third Street including four manholes;
• Construction of approximately 1,280 lineal feet of 18-inch sewer in the Lumbar Yard Parking Lot and Third Street/Forest Avenue, from the existing Laguna SOCWA Lift Station to Mermaid Street, including 14 new manholes;
• Construction of miscellaneous collection sewers for reconnection to existing manholes near City Hall and Loma Place; and
• Jacking a 30-inch steel casing up Third Street hill with 18-inch carrier pipe.
• Construction of Junction Structure with accessories and Linabond PVC lining.

The project included geotechnical investigations, potholing for existing utilities, flow monitoring studies, and an in-depth analysis of the City’s sewer system. 

JIG Consultants provided full time Construction Management Services for the Third and Forest Pipeline Project. This was a very sensitive project being in the heart of downtown Laguna Beach. Traffic control and public communication was coordinated through the police department, fire department, community center, adjacent residences and businesses, and the Laguna Beach Unified School District.