Bella Vista Highline Water Main Repair Project

The Bella Vista Highline Water Main Repair Project, managed by the Montecito Water District, involves the removal and replacement of two damaged water pipeline segments in Santa Barbara County, California. These segments were displaced by landslides during a January 2023 storm event. The scope of work includes replacing approximately 355 linear feet of pipeline at two specific locations along 2500 East Valley Road, installing a temporary bypass pipeline to maintain water service, and implementing slope stabilization measures such as geocells for erosion control and blowoff piping. Construction activities, including trenching, grading, and limited vegetation removal, are scheduled to occur over approximately three months between October 1, 2026, and December 29, 2026, during daytime weekday hours. The project is subject to strict environmental and regulatory compliance, as detailed in a Mitigated Negative Declaration. Key requirements include the disinfection of replaced segments and the dechlorination of testing water in accordance with Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board standards. Contractors must adhere to specific habitat protection protocols, including the use of temporary fencing near sensitive areas and the salvage of topsoil during excavation. Additionally, the contract mandates strict protocols for the discovery of archaeological resources and requires all personnel to undergo environmental training via a Workers Environmental Awareness Program. Access to the sites will be managed through temporary routes via Cima Del Mundo Road or neighboring private properties.