Glendale nearing completion of 2.25‑mile Chilton‑Kenneth pipeline replacement

Lorena Powell, Glendale’s new water engineering manager, presented the Chilton‑Kenneth pipeline replacement project, which she said targets 11 project areas in the El Miradero neighborhood near the Burbank border and Brand Park. Powell said the scope replaced approximately 11,745 linear feet — about 2.25 miles — of aging cast‑iron pipe installed between 1924 and 1926 with 8‑inch ductile iron line, upgraded 256 customer service lines and added 25 fire hydrants.

Powell said construction began in March 2025 and the project is approximately 90% complete, with one major shutdown/tie‑in remaining; staff anticipate final completion later this month. The presentation included photos showing mineral buildup in original cast‑iron pipe cross‑sections and explained that internal coatings for ductile iron reduce mineral accumulation and improve flow, fire protection and reliability.

Commissioners asked about maintenance expectations, expected service life (ductile iron ≈120 years), potential for coordinating meter/AMI replacement and the community disruption during construction. Powell and other staff said meter swaps are brief (about 20 minutes) and that the city coordinates pipe replacement timelines with pavement work to minimize repeat street cuts; the utility also conducts outreach and provides advance notice to customers affected by shutdowns.

Why it matters: Replacing century‑old mains reduces service disruptions, improves fire response capacity and reduces long‑term maintenance costs.

What’s next: Staff will complete the remaining shutdown/tie‑in this month to reach 100% project completion and return updates as needed.