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Newsletter – February 2020

Underground Flow Equalization System Construction begins Summer 2020

In late 2019, the City of San Mateo prequalified a select number of contractors for construction of the Underground Flow Equalization System (UFES) Project. This project is a major component of the City’s Clean Water Program, which is a series of improvements to the sewer system and wastewater treatment plant.

Contractors were prequalified based on their potential ability to meet construction requirements outlined in the Final Environmental Impact Report, which was approved by the San Mateo City Council in October 2019. The City expects to award the construction contract in spring 2020.

Construction is expected to begin in mid-summer 2020, and the project will be completed in six phases over approximately two years: Site preparation (Phase 1) will include installation of construction fencing and dust control, and equipment will arrive on site. The shoring system (Phase 2) will safely hold the area open during excavation, and groundwater will be removed from inside the shoring system to maintain stability. Once shoring is complete, excavation will begin (Phase 3), and the soil inside the shoring will be removed. During Phase 4, foundation piles will be drilled to support the structure and keep it in place. The concrete base, walls, column, beams, and roof will be built during Phase 5. Once the concrete work is done, site finishing (Phase 6) will begin. A new electrical building will be installed, new landscaping features will be added, and the site will be repaved. The new facility will undergo startup and testing before being brought online.

A diversion system will be built near Saratoga Avenue and Delaware Street. This system will divert excess flows away from the main sewer line and to the UFES structure, preventing overflows.

Anticipated Construction Schedule
The Clean Water Program thanks everyone for input received throughout the planning process and looks forward to completion of these upgrades that will benefit the health of our residents, nearby ecosystems, and the San Francisco Bay.

More information about the Clean Water Program and the UFES project is available here.

Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project Completed!

The Clean Water Program recently completed work on one of the Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Projects that prioritized critically needed spot repairs, manhole repairs, and pipe fixes in several neighborhoods throughout San Mateo. During this project, our contractor replaced approximately 660 linear feet of existing sewer pipes ranging in diameter from 4 inches to 8 inches; rehabilitated 1,026 linear feet of sewer pipe; and replaced 19 manholes that were in critical need of rehabilitation. This project replaced portions of the sewer pipes at the following locations:

  • Monterey St. cul-dec-sac, past 27th St.
  • Dalehurst Avenue from Kingridge Drive to Dalehurst Court
  • North B Street from North Railroad Avenue to Baldwin Avenue
  • Georgetown Avenue

Most of the construction work was performed in the public right-of-way. The contractor also worked with property owners to access pipes in easements on private properties as part of this work. After work was completed, the excavated areas were restored.

The work performed under this project is part of the City’s annual rehabilitation work. This ongoing work to maintain and improve our sewer collection system occurs on a rotating schedule throughout San Mateo. Annual rehabilitation projects are also under way in eastern and central San Mateo neighborhoods. The repairs and fixes help ensure proper operation of the system, stop sewer pipe leaks, meet regulatory requirements, and reduce the sewer overflows that occur during heavy rains. These are just a few of the projects among many in the Clean Water Program that are helping to meet our goals of improving our wastewater collection system and protecting public health, the environment, and the San Francisco Bay.