Suburban Water Systems’ distribution pipelines provide water to customers for drinking, domestic uses, irrigation, and fire protection. These pipelines deteriorate over time and eventually reach the end of their useful life, often resulting in main breaks and leaks. Suburban has an annual program to replace 1% of its distribution pipelines to minimize the number of pipe breaks, water loss, and associated service interruptions to customers.
The Lashburn and Groveside Pipeline Project in the City of Whittier is part of Suburban’s 2023 pipeline replacement program. The project will replace y 2.25 miles of distribution pipeline and appurtenances (hydrants, valves, services, and meters) in the housing tract east of Santa Gertrudes Ave, west of 1st Ave, south of Santa Fe St, and north of Leffingwell Rd. Construction began in January of 2023 and is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
The existing pipeline was built in 1955 and is made of a brittle pipe material that was the typical pipeline material installed at the time. After nearly 70 years of use, this brittle material has deteriorated, resulting in 33 main breaks since 1998. This project will replace the aged pipeline with robust PVC pipes that comply with today’s standards for quality and reliability.
In addition to replacing mains with a known history of breaks, this project will also improve the available fire flow for firefighting in the Lashburn and Groveside neighborhood by increasing existing 4 and 10-inch pipelines to 8 and 12-inch pipes and replacing 4-inch hydrants with modern standard 6-inch hydrants. Additional fire hydrants will be added to ensure that every property is within 300 feet of a hydrant, making it easier for firefighters to use them in an emergency.
This project is part of Suburban’s commitment to improving its distribution system’s integrity and providing safe and reliable water to the community. This proactive work minimizes the number of future interruptions to service. We appreciate our customers’ patience and cooperation during this critical project.
Picture 1: Installing the PVC waterline to replace the deteriorated older pipe.
Picture 2: Installing a new water service, valve, can, and lid.
Picture 3: Replacing a 4-inch fire hydrant (left) with a new 6-inch fire hydrant (right).
