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.
The local water agency has rolled out a plan to replace a major section of its aging canal system at an estimated cost of $1 billion, reported strong reservoir levels and flagged ongoing budget pressures, while opening a senior engineering post to lead the work. The agency serves between about 520,000 and 560,000 people across central and eastern parts of the county and delivers water through a mix of treated and raw supplies.
The canal replacement program targets roughly 20 miles of a 48-mile waterway. The district has already replaced four miles and plans to convert the remaining sections to buried pipelines over time. The move away from open canal to pipe aims to improve water quality, reduce losses, and lower safety risks tied to landslides and aging canal banks. The work is estimated to cost $1 billion and will be part of the agency’s multi-year capital plan.
Reservoir levels are reported to be high, with the main source at Lake Shasta around 94% full and the district’s own Los Vaqueros Reservoir near 93% full. The district supplies roughly half its volume as treated water and half as raw water. The agency says it is no longer in a drought condition but faces operational limits on pumping and storage rules that affect how much water can be moved or stored. Recycled water accounts for about 10% of supply now, with a goal to raise that to 15%.
Rising energy costs and medical expenses have been top cost drivers in recent years, followed by pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities. The district operates on an annual budget of about $200 million. A strong credit rating helps lower bond interest costs, but the capital program and operating pressures mean planning for long-term affordability remains a priority. Average household spending on water in the service area is roughly $3.00 per day, which works out to about 1.3 cents per gallon.
The agency is recruiting an Assistant General Manager, Engineering & Construction, who will serve as the district’s chief engineer and report to the general manager. The role will oversee a team of 38 staff and guide the canal replacement program along with other projects in a 10-year capital improvement plan. Competitive candidates should bring roughly 10 years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a municipality or special district, including at least 5 years at a senior management level. Training equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering is required. Professional registration as a California civil engineer and experience with large-scale capital project delivery are highly desirable. The salary range goes up to $305,240 DOQE and includes a full benefits package. Applicants are directed to visit www.tbcrecruiting.com for details and to apply. The application closing date is Sunday, September 21, 2025. Recruitment contacts are listed at the recruiting firm for follow-up.
A separate local roadway project will proceed after an agreement to replace a final canal segment with a buried pipeline. The city approved a design and construction agreement to move the canal underground at a congested stretch of East Cypress Road, allowing a 2,200-foot new roadway section to be built just north of the existing road. The district will reimburse the city $2.2 million to cover costs for the underground pipe. The first phase will reconstruct the road with more lanes, bicycle lanes, sidewalks and storm drains at an estimated local cost of $10 million, funded with traffic impact fees. The work is complex because utilities cross the corridor and the canal must be cut and relocated to widen the road safely.
Canal replacement work began in 2009 with the goal of improving water quality and reducing losses. Landslides and bank failures have damaged the canal in places, producing multi-million-dollar repair bills. The district has also weighed expansion of storage projects and negotiated water supply arrangements with other regional agencies, but previous expansion efforts faced rising cost estimates and operational constraints that made them unviable. The district continues to evaluate storage, recycled water expansion and partnerships to meet future growth and disaster readiness.
The agency highlights maintaining water during emergencies, ensuring water quality standards are met, protecting fish with screened intakes, and managing long-term costs for customers. Planned pipeline replacements and system upgrades aim to reduce breaks, limit water loss, and secure service for new housing developments planned in the region.
The service area covers most of the county’s central and eastern communities and serves roughly between 520,000 and 560,000 people, depending on the data source.
About 20 miles of a 48-mile canal system are slated for replacement in the current program, with previous phases already converting four miles to pipeline.
The plan is to move from open canal to buried pipeline to improve water quality, reduce losses, and lower safety risks.
Reservoirs are reported near capacity and the agency says it is out of drought, but there are operational rules and limits on pumping and storage that influence supply management.
Visit www.tbcrecruiting.com for the full brochure and online application. The closing date is Sunday, September 21, 2025.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Canal Replacement Program | 20 miles targeted, $1 billion estimated cost, 4 miles completed, pipeline conversion |
| Service Area | Central and eastern county communities; roughly 520,000–560,000 people |
| Water Supply | Lake Shasta ~94% full; Los Vaqueros ~93% full; half treated/half raw; recycling at 10% aiming for 15% |
| Budget Pressures | Energy and medical cost increases; pensions and OPEB; $200M annual budget; AAA bond rating |
| Assistant GM Job | Chief Engineer role, oversees 38 staff, requires ~10 years admin experience, salary up to $305,240 DOQE, apply at www.tbcrecruiting.com by Sept 21, 2025 |
| Oakley Road Project | Bury canal at East Cypress Road, district to reimburse $2.2M, road phase cost ~ $10M, 2,200-ft new section |
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