San Antonio Water System Leon Creek Spicewood Emergency Project

The San Antonio Water System (SAWS) urgently sought engineering services to replace 867 linear feet of 54-inch and 66-inch reinforced concrete pipe at Spicewood Park due to a complete collapse of the 54-inch line and partial collapse of the parallel 66-inch line, which was filled with dirt, drastically reducing their conveyance capacity. The severity of the collapse posed a risk of sanitary sewer overflows into Leon Creek during heavy rain.

Recognizing the immediate need for replacement, SAWS swiftly initiated two separate construction contracts. One focused on setting up a sewer bypass, and the second addressed the main replacement, including approximately 275 LF of 42-inch recycled water main with constructability challenges.

Our team efficiently developed a 75 MGD bypass pumping package for bidding in under two days and prepared plans for open cut sewer replacement within 1.5 weeks of collapse notification. The bypass system was operational within 30 days of design commencement, and open-cut construction was substantially completed approximately 60 days after the collapse.

Through relentless efforts from SAWS, contractors, and material suppliers working around the clock, the design was finalized within two weeks, and construction concluded within two months for this critical emergency project.