Utilities update: Gold Coast forcemain split, multiple breaks in Tahoe Cedars; USDA allocates financing for phase 2

Dan Lewis, director of utilities, reported that crews responded to a split 10-inch forcemain at Gold Coast; the break required removing a 500-gallon fuel tank to reach the pipe and a prolonged repair that ran from early morning into the night. Lewis credited the utilities crew for using newly installed bypass ports and said a backup generator is available as needed.

Lewis also reported four large pipe breaks in August in the Tahoe Cedars project area and said the district is investigating potential causes (surge valve parameters, soft-start configurations and high pressure on older forcemain runs). He said the crew has been working long hours to respond and that surface-water use at the district treatment plant rose from roughly 2% in July to about 13% in August.

Engineering director Sarah Housong Johnson said the district has issued 58 private-service-lateral relocation applications, completed 22 final trench inspections and reimbursed 11 customers to date. She said portions of the new main are being pressure-tested and disinfected and that up to 40% of the project area may come into service sooner, with remaining tie-ins targeted by October 15.

Ken Boyd and staff reported that USDA issued a financing allocation for phase 2 and will visit the site; staff emphasized SRF 0% financing as the desired first position and said they are working on interim loan packages and reimbursement timing so SRF reimbursements can begin next spring when loan agreements are in place.

Board members praised staff's responsiveness and asked for clearer public communications on paving, generator readiness and winter preparation.