This month, Soquel Creek Water District wrapped up construction for its Moosehead Drive Water Reliability and Fire Improvement Main Replacement Project, a critical infrastructure upgrade made possible by a $1.4 million-dollar federal grant secured by Congressman Jimmy Panetta in the FY 2023 federal budget from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Community Grants program.
The project replaced approximately 2,420 linear feet of aging and undersized steel and asbestos-cement water mains with a modern 6-inch polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipeline. The upgraded system now provides improved water reliability, reduced leakage, and enhanced fire protection for residents along Moosehead Drive and Winfield Drive, as well as nearby connecting streets in the Rio Del Mar neighborhood of Aptos.
Serving approximately 65 homes, the previous pipelines had long experienced frequent breaks, limited capacity, and ongoing maintenance challenges. The newly completed improvements, constructed by Don Chapin Company, resolve these issues and strengthen the area’s overall water infrastructure and reliability.
“The aging water main on Moosehead Drive has long suffered from frequent breaks and limited capacity, putting pressure on local residents and emergency services,” said Rep. Jimmy Panetta. “This federal funding is essential to enable the replacement of the outdated pipe with modern infrastructure that will improve water reliability, reduce leaks, and enhance fire protection. This is exactly how federal resources should be used, investing in critical local upgrades that strengthen public health and community resilience.”
The total cost of the project is approximately $1.9 million, with about $1.4 million funded through the federal EPA grant.