Sanitary District to Begin Major Repair Work

Yesterday, the Ross Valley Sanitary District began major repair work on an 18-inch pipe that runs along Magnolia Avenue in Larkspur.

The district approved an emergency contract with Maggiora & Ghilotti, Inc last week for $725,000.

According to a statement released by the sanitary district, while workers were marking utility locations, they discovered a section of blocked pipe. The broken pipe was eventually traced back to the major 18-inch trunk line that runs along Magnolia Avenue.

The main sewer line was then inspected using closed-circuit TV and found to have collapsed in some parts and be deformed in others, having turned oval and narrow instead of round.

“Wastewater is still making its way through the damaged section of pipe despite the problem, however we must repair it immediately,” says Brett Richards, General Manger of the Ross Valley Sanitary District in the released statement. “We are fortunate that this was discovered before a major rain event as it is quite likely we could have had a major spill.”

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Approximately 800 to 1,000 feet of Techite pipe will be replaced between Doherty Drive and Bon Air Road on Magnolia Avenue. Techite is a fiberglass and resin composite that was widely used, but has since had repeated failures.

The district will host a community meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9 at to discuss the impacts of the work on Magnolia Avenue.

The district previously brought 12 urgent pipe repair projects to the district board in December, 11 of which were in San Anselmo, and another 12 were approved in January.

And, according to The Ross Valley Reporter there could be more projects seeking approval next month:

“I’ve been saying this over and over, that the reality is we have large voids under streets, erosion in many places and major problems in every community we serve,” Richards said. “I’m completely out of options.

The districts spent approximately $200,000 for closed-circuit television equipment and a mobile van to survey pipes and locate failure points. After a survey of 20 percent of existing pipe structures of the 200-mile wastewater system, the bad news is undeniable.

The 12 projects approved in January are:

• 10-26 Claus Circle, Fairfax
• 2-34 Both and Manor Road, Fairfax
• 3-33 Maple Avenue, Kentfield
• 32-44 Geary Avenue, Fairfax
• 37-45 Locust Avenue, Larkspur
• 29 Rowland Court easement, San Anselmo
• Monterey Terrace, San Anselmo
• 48-80 Taylor Drive, Fairfax
• 1-25 Elm Avenue, Kentfield
• 223-233 Woodland Avenue, Kentfield
• 300-333 Greenfield Avenue, San Anselmo
• 143-169 Willow Avenue, Fairfax

The full list of projects can be found on rvsd.org.

The district is still waiting for a decision from the Water Quality Board on whetehr or not they will face a fine for the .

A contentious rate hike was also recently approved for residents in the RVSD, which includes San Anselmo, Fairfax, Ross, Greenbrae, Larkspur and San Quentin -- though there is a .