For Water Subcommittee Meeting [Insert Date]
TO: Water Subcommittee Members
APPROVAL: Sachin Chawla, Director of Utilities
Title
Provide the Water Subcommittee with a Status Update on the River Ranch Sewer Force Main Relocation Project, which is Being Constructed in Coordination With the River Ranch Residential Development by Lennar Homes.
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Water Subcommittee receive and file the project update.
BACKGROUND
The River Ranch development (Tract Map No. 20092) includes construction of wastewater infrastructure necessary to serve the new residential community located generally east of Riverside Avenue and north of Highland Avenue.
As part of the project, a sewer lift station was constructed to convey wastewater flows from the development to the City’s wastewater collection system. The existing force main currently discharges into a gravity sewer manhole along North Oakdale Avenue. Due to specific field conditions and as-built circumstances that conflicted with the original design intent, resulted in limited hydraulic capacity in the immediate downstream gravity sewer segment along Oakdale Avenue. Combined with the minimal pipe slope associated with existing ground elevations, this configuration resulted in operational constraints and periodic sewer backup concerns reported by residents in the area. Sewer system overflows at the original force main to manhole connection were also reported.
To address this issue, the developer is relocating the discharge point of the force main to a downstream manhole located along East Highland Avenue, where adequate hydraulic capacity is available. (Attached).
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The River Ranch Force Main Relocation Project involves installing a new pressurized sewer pipeline to redirect flows from the River Ranch lift station to a downstream location within the Rialto Utility Authority’s (RUA’s) wastewater collection system.
Improvements include:
• Installation of approximately 600 linear feet of 6-inch sewer force main.
• Construction of a new standard precast sewer manhole.
• Installation of a 2-inch air/vacuum release valve assembly for proper operation of the force main system.
• Installation of associated fittings and bends necessary to connect the new pipeline alignment.
• Trench restoration and pavement repair.
The relocation shifts the force main discharge from the existing manhole on N. Oakdale Avenue to a manhole along E. Highland Avenue, thereby bypassing the flat gravity sewer segment that has constrained system performance.
Once completed, the improvement is expected to:
• Improve hydraulic performance within this portion of the wastewater collection system.
• Reduce the likelihood of sewer backups affecting residents along North Oakdale Avenue.
• Provide a more reliable discharge point for flows generated by the River Ranch development.
The improvement is being constructed by the developer as part of the subdivision infrastructure requirements and will ultimately be dedicated to the City upon completion and acceptance.
Project Schedule
According to the developer and project engineer:
• Pre-construction meeting: March 2, 2026
• Construction start: March 16, 2026
• Estimated construction duration: Approximately 5 weeks
The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of April 2026. All construction activities will occur within the public right-of-way and will be coordinated with the City’s inspection staff and Veolia/RWS.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Approval of the proposed action also complies with the following City of Rialto Guiding Principles, General Plan Goals and Policies: “Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.”
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Operating Budget Impact
Upon completion of construction and acceptance of the improvements, ownership and operational responsibility for the relocated sewer force main will be transferred to the City of Rialto and incorporated into RUA’s wastewater collection system as operated by Rialto Water Services/Veolia under the Concession Agreement. The new infrastructure will require routine inspection, preventative maintenance, and periodic repair consistent with RUA’s standard wastewater system operations.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no financial impact on RUA’s Wastewater Enterprise Fund associated with this project. The sewer improvements are being constructed by the developer (Lennar Homes) as part of the River Ranch subdivision infrastructure obligations.
ATTACHMENTS
River Ranch Sewer Force Main Relocation Plans (Tract Map No. 20092)