Pacific Beach will be the latest area of San Diego to be outfitted with new water-main pipes as part of a $10.5 million replacement project that begins Sept. 24. The project will replace the aging, fragile cast-iron water mains that date back as far as the 1930s with new PVC pipes. “This material generally provides superior corrosion resistance, longevity and durability,” said Ana Maria Rojas, public information officer for the city’s Engineering and Capital Projects program. The San Diego City Council approved the replacement of 42,020 feet of water-main pipes on March 23. The nearly eight miles of construction is expected to be complete in 2013. The project will progress throughout Pacific Beach and take place along corridors such as Cass Street, Garnet Avenue and Pacific Beach Drive over that three-year period. “The project is estimated to take approximately three years to complete because it will be designed and constructed in phases, or smaller segments, in order to minimize impact to residents and businesses in the area,” Rojas said. The initial construction phase will affect those residents and businesses along Cass Street between Diamond Street and Thomas Avenue. Most roads will remain open to traffic during the replacement process, said city officials. The current 8-inch pipes will be replaced with 12-inch pipes, Rojas said. Residents and businesses within 300 feet of the construction corridor may temporarily get water access by way of a two-inch-diameter high-line. “The high-line should not adversely affect the residents’ water usage,” Rojas said. Likewise, residents and businesses affected by possible water shutoffs will be given prior notice. Those receiving water from the high-lines might also notice a slight drop in water pressure or warmer water temperatures because the pipes will sit above ground. “The water will come from the same water system being improved, but the source is typically from connections to fire hydrants just outside the area where pipe is being installed,” Rojas said. City officials decide the order in which water mains throughout San Diego will be replaced. Factors that led to the decision to replace the pipes were the age of the current water-main pipes and the cast-iron materials. For more information, visit www.sandiego.gov/engineering-cip/.