The Water Authority approved an amendment to its construction funding and operations agreement with Valley Center Municipal Water District and Yuima Municipal Water District for Emergency Storage Project (ESP) infrastructure improvements. These improvements include work on existing pipelines, upgraded pump stations, and new facilities such as flow control structures and pipeline segments that provide emergency water supplies to Valley Center and Yuima. Due to an existing pipeline failure during startup and commissioning, unexpected corrosion, and service impacts, the scope and costs have increased. The amendment raises the not‑to‑exceed funding from $11,360,000 to $11,760,000, adding $400,000 primarily for Valley Center MWD. Although the core construction is already underway, the expanded budget points to additional repair, corrosion mitigation, and O&M needs where engineering and construction vendors may support the member districts and the Authority.

The amendment responds to pipeline failure and corrosion discovered during startup, indicating poten...