Main Replacement Program

At The Consolidated Mutual Water Company, we are committed to maintaining a safe, reliable, and resilient water distribution system for our community. Each year, we invest in replacing portions of our underground water mains as part of our 1% System Replacement Program.

Our distribution system is made up of approximately 420 miles of buried water mains, some of which have been in service for many decades. Just like any infrastructure, water mains age over time. They can become corroded, experience breaks, or no longer meet the demands of modern water quality and fire protection standards. By proactively replacing mains, we are able to:

• Repair or prevent main breaks before they disrupt service.
• Replace deteriorated or corroded pipe.
• Improve water quality and reliability.
• Increase fire protection by ensuring hydrants have adequate flow.
• Strengthen delivery across the entire system.

Why 1% Matters

Our goal is to replace about 1% of the system each year, which equates to roughly 22,000 linear feet of water main annually. At this pace, the system can be renewed every 100 years—an industry-standard timeline that balances reliability, cost, and long-term sustainability.

Customer Impact

When our crews are working in your neighborhood, you’ll receive advance notice of disruptions to your water service and additional project details. While every project is unique due to site conditions, customers can expect similar steps: excavation, installation of new pipe, reconnection of service lines, and restoration of the street and landscaping.

We understand construction can be disruptive, but these projects are essential to ensure the continued delivery of safe, clean, and dependable water to your home and business.

Pipe Bursting Technology

A key part of our program is the use of trenchless technology, specifically pipe bursting, which allows us to replace old pipe with new pipe in place, with far less excavation than traditional open-cut methods. Consolidated has been using pipe bursting since 2010, following a one-time investment in equipment that has paid dividends for both the Company and our community.

To date, we have installed over 204,000 feet of new pipe via pipe bursting, representing about 40% of our system replacement work. This technology and method of main replacement has also allowed us to catch up for years when replacement wasn’t a priority. In some years, we have replaced as much as 40,000 linear feet of pipe—nearly double our 1% goal. Through careful planning and stewardship of company assets, this approach has helped us save money, minimize community disruption, and accelerate progress toward a stronger, more reliable water system.

Through careful planning and stewardship of company assets, this approach has helped us save money, minimize community disruption, and accelerate progress toward a stronger, more reliable water system.