Harvest Water Construction Updates
About Harvest Water
Harvest Water will deliver drought-resistant recycled water to agricultural lands and existing habitats in southern Sacramento County. Construction of the infrastructure needed to make Harvest Water a reality is now underway. The project is anticipated to be operational in 2027.
Construction activities include the development of a new pumping station at the EchoWater Resource Recovery Facility and a series of pipeline projects that will allow for the delivery of recycled water to various locations.
The following road closures are currently in place or planned as part of Harvest Water pipeline construction.
Franklin Boulevard between Core Road and Point Pleasant Road is currently closed through late May. The detour route in place is:
- Northbound detour: Point Pleasant Road to Ed Rau Road to Core Road
- Southbound detour: Core Road to Ed Rau Road to Point Pleasant Road
- Important note: access to local properties within the work zone will be from Point Pleasant Road to the south – vehicles will not be able to enter the area from Core Road to the north.
Franklin Boulevard north of Bilby Road and south of Whitelock will also be closed starting in early May. The detour route in place will be:
- Southbound detour: Willard Parkway to Bilby Road
- Northbound detour: Bilby Road to Willard Parkway
- Access to Franklin Pet Hospital will be available via southbound Franklin.
Eschinger Road between Carroll Road and West Stockton Boulevard continues to be closed. The detour routes are:
- Eastbound detour: Eschinger Road to Bruceville Road to Kammerer Road to West Stockton Boulevard
- Westbound detour: West Stockton Boulevard to Kammerer Road to Bruceville Road to Eschinger Road.
Kestrel Lake Road remains closed. This closure does not affect through traffic, so no detour route is in place for this road.
Road closure timing is subject to change. During road closures, detours are clearly marked with flaggers directing traffic. Access to all properties within the work zone will be maintained through construction.
Project Map
Construction Overview
- Over the next few years, nearly 42 miles of pipeline will be constructed along Franklin Boulevard between Sims Road and Twin Cities Road and multiple other roadways south of Elk Grove.
- The first segment of active construction will begin in February 2024 along Bruceville Road, between Kammerer Road and Eschinger Road as part of the Franklin Eschinger Pipelines.
- Construction within Elk Grove city limits is anticipated to begin in spring 2024. During construction, both north and southbound traffic will be rerouted to the southbound lanes within the affected work areas.
- South of Elk Grove city limits, additional road and lane closures will take place in phases, with clearly marked detours in place.
What to Expect
- Access to residences and businesses will be maintained at all times
- Temporary detours and road closures will be necessary
- Plan for additional travel time and consider using alternative routes
- Safety measures will be added for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers
Pipeline Projects
Five miles of 66-inch diameter pipe will be installed along Franklin Boulevard from SacSewer’s EchoWater Facility at Sims Road to the Elk Grove city limit at Bilby Road. Construction on this segment is expected to begin in spring 2024.
During construction, portions of northbound Franklin Boulevard within Elk Grove city limits will be closed. During lane closures within the affected work areas, both north and southbound Franklin Boulevard traffic will be rerouted to the southbound lanes.
Ten miles of 66-inch to 16-inch pipe will begin just north of Bilby Road, following Franklin Boulevard South to Core Road, then along Core, Ed Rau, and Eschinger Roads.
Construction on the Franklin-Eschinger Pipelines began in February 2024 along Bruceville Road between Kammerer Road and Eschinger Road. Construction on this section will continue through March 2024. Work will then move to the far eastern portion of Eschinger Road.
Twenty-seven miles of 12-inch to 48-inch pipe will be installed in the rural roadways south of the City of Elk Grove, roughly between Eschinger Road to the north, Twin Cities Road to the south, Interstate 5 to the west, and Highway 99 to the east.
Construction on the West pipelines began in early April on Kestrel Lake Road. Construction on the Central/South pipelines is anticipated to begin in summer 2024.
Harvest Water Construction Frequently Asked Questions
Harvest Water, California’s largest agricultural water recycling project, will provide reliable, high-quality recycled water to agricultural lands and existing habitats in southern Sacramento County for use instead of groundwater. Harvest Water will facilitate groundwater recovery, boost sustainable agriculture, strengthen local habitats, and offer near-term benefits to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
A series of pipelines will be installed along Franklin Boulevard in the City of Elk Grove and town of Franklin, and then along numerous roadways throughout the southern part of Sacramento County. Construction activities are planned to begin with contractor mobilization in late 2023, with the bulk of construction activities taking place from spring 2024 through 2027.
Much of the construction of the pipelines will be done through multiple concurrent projects. The Harvest Water team and its contractors will work together to minimize public impacts, including dust, noise, and traffic detours.
The project schedule is based on current estimates and is subject to change.
Occasional road and lane closures will be required to complete installation of the pipelines, and detours will be put in place as necessary. Residents and businesses along the alignment will be notified prior to any road closures. Those residents and businesses directly impacted by any closures will also be notified at least 48 hours in advance. Access to businesses will be maintained throughout construction.
To receive closure alerts and notifications, sign up for email alerts.
Construction timing and details for each construction segment will be updated throughout construction and provided on our project webpage.
At least 48 hours prior to construction, residents, businesses, and neighborhood organizations near the construction area will be contacted with dates and specific impacts in their areas.
The Harvest Water team will work closely with construction crews, Sacramento County, and the City of Elk Grove to provide timely updates, minimize construction impacts, and be a good neighbor to the community. During periods of expected heavy activity, the Harvest Water team will increase outreach to ensure the community is informed and prepared.
Please watch for signage along the construction work areas and plan for additional time when traveling through the project areas.
To receive closure information and other project notifications, sign up for email alerts.
During construction, inconveniences such as increased dust and noise will be mitigated to the extent possible by construction crews. Local residents will always have access to their neighborhoods, but temporary detours may be in place during construction.
Most work will take place Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., although night or weekend work may be necessary at times to complete critical tasks.
For more information about Harvest Water and the construction process, please visit SacHarvestWater.org, email us at HarvestWater@sacsewer.com, or call our hotline at (916) 876-3322.
