New pipeline will link San Gabriel, Rio Hondo spreading groundsBy Tim Traeger, Staff Writer
 Work has begun on a mult-agency storm and recycled water pipeline at Paramount Boulevard and Mines Avenue in Pico Rivera, shown here Dec. 16, 2009. The Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Pico Rivera, L.A. County Flood Control District, the Southern California Water Replenishment District and the Central Basin Municipal Water District are working together on the project. (SGVN/Staff photo by Leo Jarzomb)
PICO RIVERA - Pipeline construction began Wednesday for a two-tiered, $4.95 million multi-agency project that will link the San Gabriel River and Rio Hondo spreading grounds.
The first of two pipelines is a 78-inch concrete pipe that will run along Mines Avenue from just west of the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway to just past Paramount Boulevard.
According to Interim Public Information Officer Michael Maxfield, the intent is to join the spreading grounds in an effort to retain stormwater runoff, imported water and highly treated recycled water that then percolates to subterranean aquifers.
The project, expected to be completed in September, 2010, is being spearheaded by the Los Angeles Department of Public Works in a cooperative effort with the city of Pico Rivera, the County Flood Control District, the Southern California Water Replenishment District and the Central Basin Municipal Water District.
A second 8-inch iron pipeline is being laid in the same trench and will carry recycled water for irrigating schools, parks, street medians and other public landscaping.
The remaining three phases will occur from Manzanar Avenue to Rosemead Boulevard, Rosemead Boulevard to Passons Boulevard and Passons Boulevard to the San Gabriel River spreading grounds.
Crews will work during the off-peak hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the most congested areas, Rosemead and Mines and Paramount and Mines. Work will run from 7 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in other residential areas and Maxfield said access to homes will not be restricted.
The pipe will eventually tie into Central Basin's Southeast Water Reliability Project, a 12-mile-long pipeline extending from Pico Rivera through Montebello and southeast Los Angeles County to move recycled water throughout the region.
 Workers at the site of the mult-agency storm and recycled water pipeline being built at Paramount Boulevard and Mines Avenue in Pico Rivera. (SGVN/Staff photo by Leo Jarzomb) "Bringing recycled water into the community is the single most effective way to conserve the limited supply of drinking water. It is also a way to control water costs because recycled water is less expensive to purchase," Maxfield said.
A Los Angeles County inspector will be on site during construction and may be contacted at (626) 458-3122 to address any concerns. | 
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