Jason Forsberg, water utilities supervisor for the City of Glendora, presented the water distribution update and described a major emergency repair on a 16‑inch transmission main that produced multiple customer impacts and required a specialized lining contractor.

Forsberg said the initial service call came Dec. 30 for reported surfacing water at 1855 West Foothill near Lone Hill. A leak on the 16‑inch transmission line was identified Jan. 29. A February video inspection found the line in poor condition and an improperly abandoned lateral that was channeling water from the main through old irrigation infrastructure to the surface at a location roughly 3,400 feet from the main break.

Scope and work: Forsberg said the city’s chosen approach was to realign and reline a section of the 16‑inch main to avoid excessive excavation through steep terrain and private property. On April 2 a specialized contractor (brought in from Arizona) installed a poly liner reinforced with Kevlar for approximately 600 linear feet of the transmission main. The city replaced roughly 30–40 linear feet of ductile iron pipe for the tie‑in, installed a new 16‑inch valve on Lone Hill, relocated three water services (1855 West Foothill, 1901 West Foothill and 309 North Lone Hill) and installed two fire hydrants. Forsberg said leak‑detection equipment put crews within six inches of the leak location.

Testing and return to service: after the lining installation crews completed hydrostatic and chlorination testing to satisfy public‑health protocols; Forsberg reported the line was returned to active service the day before his presentation.

New equipment and benefits: Forsberg said the water division recently acquired a valve‑exercising truck, a machine that hydraulically operates buried valves and includes a small vacuum (Vactor) to clean valve cans. Staff said the truck improves efficiency for emergency shutdowns, preventative valve‑turning and flushing programs and regulatory compliance.

Commission discussion: Commissioners asked about why the leak surfaced far from the main (Forsberg attributed it to old irrigation laterals from former avocado farming), differences between pinhole leaks and larger blowouts, and whether the lining approach will be used elsewhere (Forsberg: lining is appropriate for long transmission mains with few service taps; full replacement remains necessary in other contexts). Forsberg said the lining solution should provide decades of service but that the line will still need future attention; he said the recent work saved disruption and was cost‑effective for this hillside location.

The commission voted unanimously to receive and file the water distribution update.