Valley Center and Pauma Valley, CA

Valley Center North County Emergency Water Storage Project

Client: Valley Center Municipal Water District
Our Role: Construction Management and Office Engineering Support

Pump station assembly with vertical turbine pumps, valves, and piping installed on a concrete pad.

Valley Center Municipal Water District (VCMWD), in coordination with Yuima Municipal Water District (YMWD) and San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA), launched a comprehensive program to address longstanding vulnerabilities in a shared rural water supply system. Aging pipelines, limited redundancy, and outdated pump station infrastructure left Valley Center and Pauma Valley communities exposed to service disruptions during wildfires, earthquakes, and power outages. GFT provided construction management and office engineering support throughout program delivery, coordinating closely with VCMWD’s inspection team to sequence work across district boundaries, maintain compliance with SDCWA funding requirements, and manage documentation critical to keeping the program on track.

Key Features

Installation of 3,800+ linear feet of 12-inch PVC pipeline along Lilac Road and Muutama Road to enable cross-district emergency water transfers.
Removal of 430 linear feet of undersized 6-inch asbestos cement pipe.
New flow control stations at Halcones and Muutama for pressure zone management and real-time water routing.
Pump station modernization at San Gabriel and Lilac Pala, including new vertical turbine pumps, discharge piping, flow meters, and surge tanks.
Electrical upgrades including new San Diego Gas & Electric switchgear, distribution gear, and variable frequency drives.
Full SCADA system replacement for enhanced monitoring and operational control.
Two trailer-mounted backup generators with automatic transfer and bussing systems for grid-independent operation.

Outcomes

Established a reliable emergency water distribution system capable of cross-district transfers during regional crises.
Reduced system vulnerability by eliminating deteriorating asbestos cement pipe.
Improved pressure zone control and operational flexibility across district boundaries.
Ensured continued pump station operation during grid outages through dedicated backup power.
Strengthened long-term water security for farms, ranches, and residents in Valley Center, Pauma Valley, and surrounding communities.