SJW Invests Millions in Improving Infrastructure
AI Technology Aids Miles of Water Main Replacement in Bay Area
SAN JOSE, Calif. – October 15, 2024 – San Jose Water (SJW) has announced the completion of several key water main replacements in its South Bay service area. In September, the company successfully brought 2.6 miles of water main replacements online. In August, it replaced 1.9 miles of water main in San Jose.
San Jose Water leverages a cutting-edge AI model to aid in the monitoring and selection of what infrastructure needs replacement and when. The model ranks each pipe segment in the system for replacement based on its unique probability of failure, which it determines after analyzing vast datasets of patterns and correlations that often escape human detection. In contrast, traditional methods of assessing probability of failure are often based on static factors such as age, material, and past failures, which can fall short in capturing the dynamic and complex nature of water distribution systems.
“Our ongoing infrastructure investment is a reflection of our commitment to serving our local community the best we can,” said Tanya Moniz-Witten, president of San Jose Water. “We continuously maintain and improve our water system by leveraging technology and our expert teams to get ahead of potential issues before they become expensive or disruptive problems. Not only does this save money in the long run, but it ensures we can reliably provide high-quality water and service to our one million customers.”
San Jose Water, which was founded in 1866, replaces an average of 24 miles of pipe a year to maintain its century-old infrastructure. SJW invests an average of $140 million annually in improving water service infrastructure, of which water main replacements are a critical component.
The following are a selection of the many infrastructure projects SJW has recently completed to keep the water flowing in the South Bay:
Grossmont Drive Water Main Replacement Project
The company recently placed in-service a water main replacement project along Grossmont Drive, Marengo Lane, and Burgundy Drive in the Noble neighborhood of San Jose located near Valley Water’s Penitencia Water Treatment Plant. With an investment of about $1 million, including service lateral replacements, the project replaced 1,700 feet of 6" steel pipes from 1960 with ductile iron pipes, along with three new hydrants.
North 3rd Street Water Main Replacement Project Placed In-Service
The company recently placed in-service a critical water main replacement project along North 3rd Street, North 2nd Street, and East Empire Street in downtown San Jose. With an investment of over $4 million, the project replaced 4,100 feet of 3" and 4" cast iron pipes from 1886 with modern ductile iron pipes, along with new hydrants and service laterals.
Fun fact: 1886 was also the year the Statue of Liberty was unveiled!
Jerries Drive Water Main Replacement Project Placed In-Service
The SJW construction team recently placed in-service a significant water main replacement project in Saratoga, covering Jerries Drive, June Way, Loma Rio Drive, and Gerneil Court. This $1 million investment involved replacing 2,000 feet of outdated 1950s and 1960s steel and asbestos cement pipes with modern 4” and 6” ductile iron pipes. The addition of four new fire hydrants also boosts water flow for firefighting, increasing community safety and resilience.
About San Jose Water
Founded in 1866, San Jose Water is a regulated private utility, and is one of the largest and most technically sophisticated urban water systems in the United States. The company serves over one million people in the greater San Jose metropolitan area. San Jose Water is owned by SJW Group, a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SJW. SJW Group also owns: Connecticut Water Company in Connecticut; Maine Water Company in Maine; and Texas Water Company in Texas. To learn more about San Jose Water, visit: sjwater.com.
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Media Contact:
Liann Walborsky
Director of Corporate Communications
408-918-7247, Liann.Walborsky@sjwater.com