Radio Tower Improvements Project

The project involves installation of two radio towers and two monopoles along with associated site improvements, as described below. The purposes of the project are to improve IRWD’s existing radio communication infrastructure (which has been detrimentally affected due to radio and physical interference), provide reliable communications during emergency events, and future-proof IRWD’s remote communication capabilities. IRWD Dyer Road Initial Disinfection Facility Site: The project includes installation of a new 80-foot self-supporting radio tower and communication panel (with air conditioning unit) to replace the nearby existing 45-foot monopole at IRWD’s Dyer Road Initial Disinfection Facility site. New electrical conduits would be installed between the new communication panel and the existing panels located in the electrical room of the Initial Disinfection Facility; these conduits would be located underground and along the exterior and interior walls of the building. A new tower grounding system would be installed with grounding wells and would be bonded to the existing building grounding system. During construction, a portion of the existing perimeter chain fence would be replaced with a sliding gate to allow for equipment access, and the fence would be restored upon completion of construction. IRWD Coastal Zones 6 and G Reservoirs (Signal Peak) Site: The project includes installation of a new 90-foot self-supporting radio tower and communication panel (with air conditioning unit) adjacent to IRWD’s Coastal Zones 6 and G Reservoirs. This site already contains multiple existing communication towers owned by utility carriers, the County of Orange, and other agencies. Minor underground piping and electrical conduits may need to be re-routed to accommodate the tower foundation. New underground electrical conduits would be installed between the new communication panel and the existing panel located in IRWD’s existing Chlorine Building and would require trenching through the existing paved road on site. A new tower grounding system would be installed with grounding wells, and a new shade structure would be installed for the communication panel. In addition, the IRWD existing antenna on the MCI Communications tower would be relocated to the new tower. IRWD Well 76 Site: The project includes installation of a new 40-foot monopole to replace the existing 10-foot Yagi antenna at IRWD’s Well 76 site, located in the parking lot of Heritage Community Park. A small section of the existing concrete pad, the existing battery enclosure, and the existing antenna pole at the site would be removed to accommodate the new monopole. One short electrical conduit would be installed between the new monopole and the existing electrical panel entry point. The existing uninterruptible power supply system would be replaced with a new system with increased capacity. The existing grounding ring would be protected in place or restored after the foundation is completed, and the new monopole would be grounded and bonded to the existing grounding system. Williams Canyon Site: The project includes installation of a new 40-foot monopole and communication panel (with air conditioning unit) at a vacant site within an existing IRWD pipeline and utility easement along Williams Canyon Road in unincorporated Orange County. A Southern California Edison (SCE) meter pedestal would be installed on a concrete pad along with the communication panel next to the new monopole. New underground electrical conduits would be installed between the communication panel and the monopole, and one underground electrical conduit would be installed between the communication panel and the meter pedestal. In addition, an underground electrical conduit crossing Williams Canyon Road would be installed to connect the meter pedestal with the existing SCE utility pole. SCE would install a new pole-mounted transformer with appurtenances at the existing utility pole. A new uninterruptible power supply system, grounding system, and traffic bollard would also be installed.