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Groundwater authority approves design change orders, hires support firm for imported water pipeline
Summary
The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority approved change orders for revegetation and trenchless crossings and hired Blue Mountain Development for supportive services on the imported water pipeline; design is nearing 90 percent, with additional work on power, trenchless borings and corrosion design noted.
The board of the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (IWVGA) approved multiple design change orders and a contract services agreement during its recent meeting, according to a report to the Ridgecrest City Council.
A council representative summarized three primary actions taken by the IWVGA: approval of a change order to the Provost & Pritchard contract for revegetation and restoration, approval of additional design work (including trenchless crossing borings and corrosion design), and approval of a contract services agreement with Blue Mountain Development to provide supportive services and liaison work for the imported water pipeline project.
The revegetation and restoration change order is intended to restore vegetated areas to a predisturbance state; staff said that item ran slightly over budget. The design change orders with Provost & Pritchard cover roughly seven additional trenchless borings and corrosion design items for metal pipe or tanks.
Blue Mountain Development was described as having extensive background overseeing very large projects and experience coordinating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; the board approved contracting the firm to provide oversight and liaison services for the imported water pipeline, including coordination with the Army Corps where the Corps is engaged in pipeline construction.
A member of the public and councilors asked for clarity about the project schedule and remaining design work. The report stated the pipeline design is “about 90 percent” complete. Staff noted remaining work includes power coordination with Southern California Edison, the additional trenchless borings and some corrosion-design elements. Presenters said the IWVGA is targeting final design milestones next year and will provide additional updates as work continues.
Members of the public suggested posting routing maps and design materials in public meetings so residents can see proposed routes; the council rep recommended that such detailed routing and mapping is better presented at IWVGA meetings and noted much of the IWVGA’s information is already on its website.
No city action was required; the council received the report and members asked staff to follow up with any new IWVGA schedule updates when available.
