Path to success

The Ojai Valley Sanitary District owns and operates the wastewater collection system for the Ojai Valley. Until recently, sewage collected from the area was transported across Ventura River in an 18-inch diameter pipeline that had been installed during the 1960s. Although the pipe was encased in concrete, some of the concrete sections had been washed out during extreme flood events. The district understood well that any pipeline repairs necessitating construction in the riverbed could pose regulatory problems. A study indicated that installing an inverted siphon under the river using horizontal directional drilling (HDD) could provide a long-term solution. With HDD the district essentially could avoid having to work in the river, sparing itself much of the regulatory morass. The district selected a team led by the Boyle Engineering Corp to manage the project, to prepare drawings, specifications, and estimates, and to assist the district and its other consultants in various associated activities. In conformity with the district's ambitious schedule, plans and specifications were prepared in just 4 months. In Sept 2003, the Michels Corporation was awarded a contract to contruct the siphon. Blois Construction was awarded a contract to construct the inlet and outlet facilities. Despite all the hurdles and risks and the fast-track schedule, the project was a success by nearly any measure.