Construction crews convert an open canal to buried pipeline while Oakley roadway is widened.
Contra Costa County, California, August 24, 2025
The Contra Costa Water District is advancing a major canal replacement program to convert roughly 20 miles of its main open canal into buried pipeline, part of a broader effort to reduce water loss, improve safety and boost drinking water quality. The work is tied to an Oakley road‑widening project that requires burying the canal under a new roadway; the district will reimburse the city $2.2 million for the pipe under the road. The program affects service for more than half a million residents, includes reservoir and reuse targets, and is linked to a senior engineering leadership recruitment.
Key update: The water district has moved a major canal renewal plan forward and confirmed current supplies are healthy, even as rising costs squeeze the budget. A senior engineering post is open to guide a large capital program. Separately, a local road project cleared a major hurdle when the district agreed to replace a canal segment with a buried pipeline.
The district plans to repair $1 billion worth of work to replace part of its canal system. The effort covers 20 miles of a 48‑mile canal and relies on burying sections of canal and converting the waterway to pipeline where needed. About four miles have already been replaced, leaving roughly 16 miles in the current phase. The district serves roughly half a million people across central and eastern parts of the county and says supplies from major sources and local storage are currently strong.
The canal project is part of a long term renewal effort. The plan shifts from open canal to buried pipeline in many places to improve water quality, reduce losses, and make the system safer in earthquakes. The district has already converted several miles in conjunction with new housing developments. The replacement program will use ductile piping designed to move in an earthquake rather than crack, and it aims to reduce expensive repairs caused by landslides on canal banks. Work so far completed represents just a fraction of the total, with a high cost estimate tied to complex terrain, construction standards and long runs of buried pipe.
Water deliveries come largely from the Central Valley Project with surface water drawn from a major reservoir reported to be near full. Local storage at a district‑owned reservoir is also near capacity. The district distributes treated water to about half of its customers and raw water to the other half. Recycled water currently provides about 10% of supply and the district aims to raise that share to 15% to stretch supplies and meet growth. The district reports that supplies are out of drought conditions for now but stressed by rules and limitations on pumping and environmental protections.
The district operates on roughly a $200 million annual budget and maintains a top credit rating that helps lower interest costs for bonds. Key cost pressures since 2020 include energy and medical expenses, followed by pension and other post‑employment benefit liabilities. Staffing accounts for a large share of the budget and the district reports a workforce of about 317 employees. The average residential customer currently spends about $3.00 per day on water, which works out to roughly 1.3 cents per gallon under current production costs; this compares with higher per‑gallon rates in some neighboring systems. The district also lists investments in pipeline renewal, water treatment upgrades, supply and watershed protection, operations and maintenance, customer service, community education and workforce development among its main cost centers.
Analysis of a proposed reservoir expansion found costs and supply negotiations would make the project impractical. After spending funds to study and partially design an expansion, rising construction and engineering costs pushed estimates well higher and would have required years of the reservoir being offline. The district also reviewed demand and found previously high subscription for storage capacity could not be met once pumping limits and partner commitments were examined.
The district is recruiting a senior engineering leader to report to the general manager and serve as chief engineer for capital programs, including the main canal replacement. The role will oversee a team of 38 staff and play a leading role on the district’s 10‑year capital improvement plan. Competitive candidates are expected to bring about ten years of growing administrative experience in a public agency or special district and at least five years of senior‑level management responsibility. A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or equivalent training is required. Registration as a California professional civil engineer and experience managing large capital projects are highly desirable. The salary range goes up to $305,240 depending on qualifications and experience, and the pay is supplemented by an attractive benefits package. Interested applicants are directed to the recruiting firm’s website to view the brochure and apply. The application window closes on Sunday, September 21, 2025. Contact information for the recruitment team is provided on the application site.
Local leaders approved an agreement to bury a canal segment beneath an expanded stretch of East Cypress Road. The canal under the roadway will be converted to buried pipeline to allow a new roadway alignment and improve drinking water quality. The district agreed to reimburse the city roughly $2.2 million for the new buried pipe and its placement under the road. The first phase covers a new 2,200‑foot segment and will leave the old road as frontage. The road project budget for that segment is estimated at about $10 million and includes widening to six lanes, bike lanes, sidewalks, storm drainage and signals. Work was expected to begin later in the month with a target of finishing within a year if no major delays occur. The city and district said the buried pipe solution was essential for the widening to proceed.
The district serves central and eastern parts of the county and includes many cities and communities from the central county core to the delta edge. The service area is noted for being culturally and economically diverse and one of the Bay Area counties with a fast‑growing workforce. Planning documents and the master plan are available on the district’s website for residents and stakeholders wanting more detail.
A: The current canal replacement program is estimated at $1 billion to address key sections of the system.
A: The program plans to replace 20 miles of the 48‑mile canal; four miles have been converted so far with more work planned.
A: Yes. The plan is to convert many canal sections to buried pipeline to improve water quality and reduce losses, and to use ductile materials suited for seismic movement.
A: Current storage levels at the district’s main sources are strong and the district reports it is out of drought conditions at present, while noting operating constraints remain.
A: Experienced water industry leaders with a civil engineering background, a decade of public sector administrative experience, senior management experience, and comfort managing large capital projects should consider applying. The position is posted through an executive recruitment firm with a closing date in September 2025.
A: The city will proceed with design and construction of the first phase after the canal undergrounding agreement; funding and additional phases are being pursued separately with local partners and developers.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Service population | Reported between about 520,000 and 560,000 residents across central and eastern county communities |
| Main canal project | $1 billion to repair/replace 20 miles of a 48‑mile canal; 4 miles done, ~16 miles remaining in the current plan |
| Replacement approach | Convert open canal to buried pipeline using ductile materials to improve seismic performance and water quality |
| Assistant GM role | Leads engineering & construction, manages 38 staff, requires civil engineering background and public‑sector leadership; salary up to $305,240 DOQE |
| Application deadline | Sunday, September 21, 2025; apply via the recruiting firm website |
| Oakley road project | East Cypress Road widening with a buried pipeline segment; district to reimburse city ~$2.2M; first phase budget ~$10M |
| Water supply status | Main reservoir near full (~94% reported), local reservoir near full (~93% reported); district aims to expand recycled water from 10% to 15% |
| Budget | Annual budget about $200M; top credit rating (AAA) helps borrowing costs; staffing is a major budget component |
For more details on recruitment and application materials, visit the recruiting firm’s website. For program and master plan documents, visit the district’s official website and look for capital improvement plan materials and public presentations.
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