By Jorge Lopez, PE, Vice President, Engineering

Since acquiring the Sativa Water System in December 2022, Suburban has been committed to providing customers with a safe, reliable water supply and exceptional service. The Sativa Pipeline Improvement Project marks the first significant enhancement in the community since the system was acquired. Following months of meticulous design and permitting, construction began in June 2024 to replace over a mile of aged and deteriorated mainline pipes and over two hundred service connections. Suburban used a competitive bidding process to select J De Sigio, a certified minority-owned vendor, to perform this work.

Strategic planning was essential to determine which pipelines to replace, ensuring that Suburban could meet current demands and maximize the benefits from its infrastructure investment. This pipe upgrade is required to provide adequate system capacity for daily demands, flushing and fire flows.

Critically, this project relocates pipelines from narrow alleys and backyards into public streets. This relocation allows Suburban’s crews to maintain, repair, improve, or replace pipeline sections without disrupting residents and their properties. Additionally ,moving meters to the curb in front of properties enables easier access for meter readings and service repairs.

Pipeline appurtenances, including valves, hydrants, and blow-offs, will be installed to facilitate the flushing of water mains when necessary. Strategically placed valves enable crews to shut down smaller sections of mains during repairs or improvements, minimizing the number of customers impacted.

The project includes new pipeline sections that loop dead-end pipes in the system, increasing flow capacity and improving water quality. 

The project is expected to be substantially completed by the end of the year. This critical project demonstrates Suburban’s ongoing commitment to improving its water system and customer service. We appreciate our customers’ patience and cooperation during this critical project, and the contributions from our team members to facilitate this work.