History

The Oak Canyon Lift Station was constructed in the early 1990s and sat within an island at the end of Oak Canyon Ct. It pumped wastewater from that low point back up to Ridgemark where it ultimately got treated at the Ridgemark Wastewater Treatment Plant. The lift station was originally intended to be replaced when the property west of it would develop, so infrastructure was installed to allow for that future possibility. Now, the Vista del Calabria development (directly west of Oak Canyon Ct) has installed a new lift station on Enterprise along with the proper infrastructure to redirect Oak Canyon wastewater flow to it. 

Design & Plans

Sunnyslope staff designed the plans and specifications for how Oak Canyon Lift Station would be decommissioned. Per the plans, new gravity sewer manhole would intercept wastewater flow prior to the lift station and redirect it down an existing pipeline to the new Enterprise Lift Station. The old Oak Canyon lift station would be converted into a through manhole to connect flow from the homes deeper in the cul-de-sac to the new manhole. Then the entire island would be demolished along with all water, sewer, and electrical services to it. At the project's completion, all impacted areas of the road would be repaved to fully restore the area and eliminate the island in the street.

Construction

The project went to bid and was awarded to Kraemer Engineering Inc. for about $130,000. Kraemer began work in October 2025 and everything was completed by mid-December 2025. Kraemer first rerouted the existing force main to create room for the new manhole. When Kraemer began excavating for the new manhole, it was discovered that the existing gravity sewer main at the new manhole site was encased in concrete. Sunnyslope and Kraemer successfully re-designed the project in the field, shifting the new manhole upstream of the concrete encasement and adding a second new manhole at the connection to the downstream gravity sewer main. When this manhole was poured, Kraemer accidentally allowed some concrete to run down the gravity sewer and plug the pipe. After several weeks, they were able to remove all the concrete from the pipe. They then intercepted wastewater flow upstream of the wet well and diverted it through the new manholes to Enterprise Lift Station. The wet well was converted into a large manhole serving the homes farther up the cul-de-sac. There was a 4-foot vertical drop from the wet well to the new downstream manhole. All the electrical service and equipment was removed. The wet well lid was lowered to road grade and replaced with a standard manhole lid. Finally, all the disturbed area was paved to match with the existing road.

Costs

Sunnyslope engineering staff conducted all the project design, inspection, and construction management saving significant cost. Kraemer's original contract was for about $130,000 but authorized contract change orders increased the amount to approximately $170,000. By abandoning Oak Canyon Lift Station, Sunnyslope expects to realize substantial long-term operational savings due to the reduction in electrical usage, regular maintenance, emergency responses, and equipment replacement.