PHIL DIEHL

Staff Writer

OCEANSIDE -- Construction has started on a three-year, $52.9 million expansion and refurbishment of the San Luis Rey Wastewater Treatment Plant, project manager Greg Blakely said Wednesday.

J.R. Filanc Construction Co. Inc. of Oceanside, the contractor, has placed work trailers on the site and started asphalt removal, trenching for cables, and other site preparations, Blakely said. Carollo Engineers of Oceanside and San Diego has been hired to provide management and inspection services.

"In the first few weeks of a project, there's a lot of paperwork," Blakely said. "The contractor prepares submittals for equipment and materials they propose to use on the project, and engineers review those to be sure they are what is wanted."

The treatment plant on North River Road near Douglas Drive is the largest of two in Oceanside. The project will increase its average capacity from the present 10.7 million gallons per day to 13.5 million gallons per day.

"The plant has efficiently and effectively protected our local environment for nearly 30 years," city Water Utilities Director Barry Martin said. "As with any facility that has been in service that length of time, the plant needs to be rehabilitated and improved."

The city has obtained zero-interest loans for 95.5 percent of the construction costs, Martin said. The loans will be repaid with service fees collected from users.

New administration and maintenance buildings will be built as part of the expansion, and the existing administration building will be converted to an operations center. The administration building will include a 70-seat training and conference room that will be available for local groups for meetings. Public artwork is planned for the plant's exterior.

After the capacity has been expanded, the existing treatment facilities will be upgraded to improve efficiency and odor control. Neighbors of the facility have complained to city officials about odors from the plant occasionally in recent years.

Construction hours will be limited to between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the project in an effort to minimize any inconvenience to neighborhood residents.

Meetings are planned to update residents about the ongoing work and to answer any questions, Blakely said. The meetings will start at 6 p.m. the first Thursday of each month, beginning June 7, in the community room of the Mission branch library, 3861-B Mission Ave.

Contact staff writer Phil Diehl at (760) 901-4087 or pdiehl@nctimes.com.

4/19/01