ESCONDIDO — After proclaiming a local emergency last summer to address failing sections of an aging trunk sewer line, the city of Escondido is continuing repairs that are expected to wrap up by April.
A June 2024 inspection by utilities staff identified multiple failed and severely deteriorated sections of the city’s trunk sewer main, which was constructed in the 1950s, according to the city.
City Manager Sean McGlynn, serving as director of emergency services, proclaimed a local emergency on June 20, 2024, to address needed repairs to two sections of the wastewater system.
Last summer, the City Council previously ratified the proclamation and authorized staff to forgo competitive bidding procedures to expedite repairs and avoid a potential catastrophic failure.
Since August 2024, the Escondido City Council has adopted a resolution at least once per month affirming the need to continue emergency repair efforts on the failing trunk sewer line.
The aging trunk sewer mains are a critical component of the city’s wastewater infrastructure. According to city documents, the original scope of work focused on two severely deteriorated sections in critical condition that run largely parallel to Escondido Creek.
Section 1, the smaller of the two, runs roughly parallel to Escondido Creek from the Firestone Complete Auto Care parking lot to the Walmart parking lot across North Ash Street.
Emergency repairs on that section have been completed under a public improvement agreement with J.R. Filanc Construction Company, headquartered in Escondido, for approximately $1.8 million.
Section 2 extends from the Beech Street area to Grape Day Park, traversing portions of North Hickory Street and East Pennsylvania Avenue before continuing through Grape Day Park. CCL Contracting, also based in Escondido, began work in July 2024 on Section 2, which stretches more than a mile, under a public improvement agreement for an amount not to exceed $10.24 million, according to city documents.
The following month, the City Council approved a $12 million budget adjustment to fund the emergency repairs using unallocated wastewater reserves and a capital improvement project.
In August 2025, the council authorized a change order to the public improvement agreement with CCL Contracting, not to exceed $1.4 million.
Work completed to date includes abandoning and filling 2,000 feet of 21-inch sewer pipe and 14 manholes at the Westmont Assisted Living Community, as well as installing a 24-inch pipe, nine manholes and 13 laterals along Valley Parkway, according to city documents.
The project is expected to be completed by April 17, 2026.
