8 miles of 24" pipe
Transmission
June 2025
Completion
$31.8 million
Contract Value
P-079 Potable Water Distribution Improvements at MCB Camp Pendleton
P079 was the keystone project that provided the final connections for the modernization of the north and south water systems at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
Project of the Year
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Integrating modern valves, appurtenances, and operational tie-ins, this project helped ensure resilience, efficiency, and adaptability for current and future mission demands. This project not only improves water delivery and storage source water but also enhances the overall operational readiness and sustainability of Camp Pendleton’s critical water infrastructure.
Most of the pipeline was constructed as night work to achieve minimal disruption to the base and its operations. Safety was paramount, with over 90,000 hours of work completed with zero recordable incidents.
This project provided a new potable water transmission line, pump stations, and communications tower while maintaining critical services and communications and not interrupting operations on base. It completed the connection between the base's north and south water systems and provided the tools to sustainably manage the aquifers.
Owner: NAVFAC Southwest (SYSCOM), USMC
Location: MCB Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California
Designer: Brown & Caldwell
Contractor: Orion Construction Corporation
Delivery Model: Design-Bid-Build
Contract Value: $31.8 million (Final)
Schedule: May 2020 – July 2025 (extended due to environmental factors and scope additions)
Scope: Construction of approximately eight miles of 24-inch potable water pipelines, a pressure reducing station with multi-line interconnections, a high pressure booster pump station, booster pump station upgrades, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) upgrades, a 150-foot tall radio tower, and demolition of an aged landmark water tower.
Challenges: The project is in the primary transportation route for the base and has highly sensitive natural resource restraints and archaeological sites near and in both sides of the road including historic railway crossings. The pump station, radio tower, and demolition was located on an extremly tight access road and was located near housing. All work had to be completed while the system maintained operability.
Results: A critical infrastructure project, P-079 modernized Camp Pendleton’s water system, ensuring a robust and reliable supply for its residents and operations. It provides reliable water delivery to help manage the only self-sufficient water system in Southern California. It also improved Camp Pendleton’s SCADA operations.
