Old Wastewater Treatment Plant to be Demolished

Work crews have begun scraping paint and clearing debris from the old Calavera Hills Wastewater Treatment Plant site, the first steps in demolishing the unused plant. 

The is scrapping the defunct plant, which was built by a private developer in 1981. The plant, on Tamarack Avenue between Pontiac and Edinburgh drives, consists of four buildings, several tanks and two large concrete containment facilities.

The work crews’ first task will be to secure the 30-year-old buildings and remove any hazardous waste, which will be disposed of according to all safety laws and regulations. 

After clearing the building interiors, the contractor will bring in heavy equipment and break up and remove concrete, pipes and other hardened surfaces. Work hours are restricted to between 7 a.m. and sunset on weekdays. No work will be permitted at night, on weekends or on holidays.

The city has hired Sierra Pacific West of Encinitas to perform the demolition and debris removal. The project will cost $265,500 and is being paid for through sewer replacement funds. The city’s construction management and inspection staff will oversee the work. 

After the demolition is completed, the property will be graded and landscaped, to prevent erosion. A small part of the site will continue to be used by the City of Carlsbad Utilities Department. 

Originally built in 1981 by a private developer during a sewer moratorium, the plant was never used. It was kept in the city’s inventory for several years in case sewage flows exceeded capacity. In 1991, the area was annexed to the Encina Wastewater Authority, which provides sewer service to most of the city. The plant was no longer needed even as a backup facility, so it was removed from the city’s sewer master plan.

–Press Release by City of Carlsbad