Contra Costa Water District plans $1 billion canal replacement

Contra Costa County, California, August 24, 2025

News Summary

The Contra Costa Water District is advancing a major canal replacement program to convert roughly 20 miles of its main open canal into buried pipeline, part of a broader effort to reduce water loss, improve safety and boost drinking water quality. The work is tied to an Oakley road‑widening project that requires burying the canal under a new roadway; the district will reimburse the city $2.2 million for the pipe under the road. The program affects service for more than half a million residents, includes reservoir and reuse targets, and is linked to a senior engineering leadership recruitment.

Contra Costa Water District outlines Main Canal Replacement at $1 billion, reviews water-supply status, faces budget pressures, and advances Oakley canal burial linked to roadway improvements; job opening announced for Assistant GM

The latest update from the regional water agency centers on a major capital effort to replace a long stretch of the central canal system, a critical move expected to improve water quality and reliability as the area continues to grow. The program, described as a Main Canal Replacement initiative, is projected at roughly $1 billion and spans several miles of work with a target window that looks out over a ten-year horizon in the agency’s capital improvement plan. In parallel, the district disclosed ongoing budget pressures tied to energy costs, medical coverage, and pension obligations, alongside a broad review of staffing and leadership needs. A prominent recruitment notice was issued for a senior engineering executive tasked with guiding the canal project and other capital programs.

Scope and leadership for the canal program

The organization oversees a large team, with a dedicated leadership role responsible for engineering and construction functions and a staff complement that totals around 38 in the related division. The prospective Assistant General Manager, Engineering & Construction role is presented as a rare chance to steer the Main Canal Replacement Program and other major capital projects within a ten-year CIP framework. Candidates are expected to bring extensive leadership, technical, and municipal or district management experience, with specific preferences for a civil engineering background and professional licensure in the state. The compensation package includes a salary ceiling that can reach the mid-three-hundreds thousands, complemented by a comprehensive benefits program.

Water supply status and regional context

The agency serves a broad region, including diverse communities in central and eastern portions of the county, and manages water supplies for both treated and raw-water customers. Current storage levels are cited as robust sources for future needs, with major reservoirs and storage facilities monitored to ensure resilience against emergencies such as wildfires and earthquakes. In-state aquifer management and watershed protections are highlighted, along with a policy emphasis on maintaining water rates at as low a level as feasible while expanding services to accommodate growth. The district reports that its water comes from several large sources, with regional storage facilities kept near capacity to support demand over the long term.

Residential growth, supply planning, and regional outlook

Officials describe ongoing development plans that will require a reliable water supply, including redevelopment efforts that will add thousands of homes to the service area. The district also notes that recycled water accounts for a portion of supply and has a stated goal to raise its recycling share to a higher target in the coming years. Energy costs have risen notably in recent years, becoming a leading factor in operating budgets, followed by medical costs and post-employment benefit obligations. The district maintains an AAA-style financial rating to keep financing costs manageable for large-scale projects.

Oakley road project and canal burial

In a separate yet connected municipal undertaking, the Oakley city area advanced a project to widen a rural two-lane corridor currently susceptible to congestion during emergencies. An agreement with the canal owner allowed the underlying canal to be buried beneath East Cypress Road, enabling roadway expansion and potentially improving water quality by relocating the canal underground. The first phase envisions a new 2,200-foot stretch of road just north of the existing alignment, with the old road retained as a frontage route. The trenching and burial work are described as technically complex due to multiple utilities crossing the corridor, and a major portion of the canal replacement work was reported as substantially complete, with a remaining segment at East Cypress Road awaiting final actions. The local government will reimburse the canal agency for undergrounding costs and property arrangements associated with the roadway project, while funding sources for the broader widening come from traffic impact fees paid by developers. A broader plan contemplates an additional Bethel Island Road extension to provide alternative egress, with a preliminary cost estimate in the tens of millions of dollars and ongoing environmental review to assess options in lieu of Delta Road connections.

Project timing, public engagement, and next steps

Construction timelines for roadway improvements envision starting later in the month with completion anticipated within about a year, assuming no delays. Public-facing information emphasizes the importance of coordinating among the canal district, county authorities, private developers, and property owners to minimize disruptions and ensure safety. Local officials stress that the underground burial of canal segments is critical to delivering reliable access and service for residents and emergency responders alike, while simultaneously enabling the expansion of arterial routes used during disasters or mass evacuations.

Operational and budgetary notes

Beyond capital programs, district leadership discusses the overall financial picture, including employee counts and distribution of budget lines across infrastructure investments, purchased water, operations, administration, and community outreach. The agency maintains a focus on prudent fiscal management, balancing capital needs with rate stability and transparency in cost drivers. The master planning document and supporting material are referenced as sources for ongoing governance and public engagement, with periodic reviews scheduled to align with regulatory requirements and evolving regional needs.

Regional footprint and service area

The canal network serves multiple communities across the county, delivering water to hundreds of thousands of residents. The system’s evolution over several decades has emphasized reliability, water quality, and safety through modernization efforts that continue to unfold in staged phases. The broader strategy aims to support sustained growth while preserving reservoir storage and watershed integrity for current and future generations.

Key features table

Feature	Description
Main Canal Replacement Program	Capital project replacing 20 miles of canal as part of a ten-year CIP; estimated cost near $1 billion; aims to improve reliability and water quality.
Oakley canal burial project	Underground burial of a canal segment under East Cypress Road to enable roadway widening; involves multiple agencies and cost reimbursements to the canal district.
Assistant GM, Engineering & Construction	Senior leadership role overseeing engineering and construction; requires extensive municipal/district experience and civil engineering background; salary up to a high six-figure amount with benefits.
Water-supply status indicators	Regional storage levels monitored; emphasis on treating and raw water management; recycled-water initiatives aim to rise from 10% toward 15%.
Budget and governance context	Budget pressures from energy, medical costs, and pension liabilities; AAA bond rating supports financing; ongoing master planning and public engagement.
Geographic service area	Communities across central and eastern Contra Costa County, including urban centers and growing suburban areas; water service for hundreds of thousands of residents.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

Additional Resources

• Contra Costa Herald: Canal replacement & $1 billion plan
• Wikipedia: Contra Costa Water District
• The Mercury News: Burying canal for Oakley road widening
• Google Search: Oakley canal burying road widening
• East Bay Times: New canal owner and safety upgrades
• Google Scholar: Contra Costa canal safety upgrades
• KRON4: Victim rescued from Contra Costa Canal
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Contra Costa Canal
• ABC7: Autopsy for male body found in Bay Point canal
• Google News: Contra Costa canal body found Bay Point