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Council approves emergency Monmouth Way sewer repair with on‑site treatment to limit hazardous hauling
Summary
Council authorized negotiated contracts for a pipe‑burst replacement on Monmouth Way after a gasoline‑related sewer failure; staff will use on‑site groundwater treatment to avoid hauling large volumes of contaminated water and will run 24‑hour construction shifts to shorten disruptions.
The Ventura City Council on May 19 approved contracts and contingencies to repair a 335‑foot segment of sewer on Monmouth Way damaged by a gasoline contamination incident, authorizing a negotiated procurement approach and construction management services.
Public Works staff explained the technical strategy: rather than open‑cut a nearly 400‑foot trench, the contractor will use pipe‑bursting to remove and replace sewer pipe from two pits (an entry and an exit pit). Because groundwater at the site sits high (roughly 4 ft below grade) and is contaminated by gasoline, the city negotiated an approach that includes a mobile on‑site groundwater treatment plant to clean water pumped from the pits for safe discharge to the sewer system. The on‑site treatment reduces hazardous hauling and associated risks, Public Works staff said.
Construction will require extended bypass piping (temporary pumps and lines) to route sewage around the work zone; to shorten duration the contractor plans 24‑hour continuous shifts during the pipe‑bursting phase. Staff described traffic impacts: northbound Harbor Boulevard will be reduced to one lane during pipe replacement, southbound traffic will be detoured, and the 101 southbound off‑ramp will be limited to right turns while work is underway. Staff said initial phases will be done at night, and the team will continuously monitor air and vapor risk from the gasoline plume and coordinate with the county Air Pollution Control District and other agencies.
The city has engaged Sam Hill & Sons as the on‑call responder to the earlier emergency repairs and HDR Engineering for construction management and inspection. The council authorized contract amendments and a contingency for construction management; staff estimated mid‑June start with completion by late July, subject to groundwater and equipment availability.
Council action: The council authorized the city manager to execute amendments to the general services agreement for Sam Hill & Sons, to contract HDR Engineering for construction management and observation services (with contingency), and to make necessary budget adjustments. Vote was unanimous in favor.
Why it matters: The repair restores a critical sewer segment, reduces the risk of larger failures, and uses an on‑site treatment approach to limit hazardous transport of contaminated water. Residents and businesses near the site should expect traffic detours and night work while crews perform dewatering and pipe bursting.
