Carlsbad has declared a local emergency to expedite the repair of a partially collapsed sewer line discovered in a routine closed-circuit television inspection of a segment along the northern shore of Agua Hedionda Lagoon.
Read more Sculptor James Hubbell’s San Diego County home accepted into Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios
Exploratory excavations began Monday to determine the extent of the problem and what sort of bypass equipment will be needed, said Amy Ventetuolo, the city’s communication and engagement director.
“The actual digging and repair work is proposed to begin after the holiday, the week of July 6th,” Ventetuolo said in an email. “The estimated construction cost is $780,000.”
The segment of the North Agua Hedionda Interceptor sewer line is within a city sewer easement on private property along Adams Street, city officials said.
“There is currently no impact to sewer or water services, and no leaking sewage,” according to a news release. “City staff are actively coordinating with two impacted property owners and have secured authorization from the California Coastal Commission to proceed with emergency repair work. Confirmation of the emergency declaration will come before City Council during its July 7 meeting.”
This is the fourth time this year the city has declared a local emergency to deal with an unexpected infrastructure problem. The declaration streamlines contracting and avoids the sometimes lengthy wait for permits needed for the work.
Read more Arson suspected in fatal encampment fire in Mountain View
On Jan. 7, the city declared an emergency to repair erosion damage to storm drains and the coastal bluff along Carlsbad Boulevard at Solamar Drive. That work was completed March 6.
On Jan. 31, another emergency was declared after a broken water main created a truck-sized sinkhole that shut down the busy intersection of El Camino Real and Carlsbad Village Drive. Those repairs were completed in 36 hours.
And on May 1, a routine closed-circuit television inspection turned up a compromised section of sewer pipe in the Ponto area of southwest Carlsbad. The repairs were completed quickly.
“As our city continues to age, so does much of our core infrastructure,” City Manager Geoff Patnoe said in a news release. “That’s why many of the key investments proposed in the recently adopted 2026-27 budget, continue to focus on infrastructure to make sure the foundation of the city remains strong.”
Read more 1940-2026: San Diego remembers Dr. Brent Eastman, pioneer of trauma care
Some of the city’s pipes are more than 100 years old, he said.
