At its April 1, 2020 meeting, the Vista Irrigation District (District) board of directors will consider whether to proceed with planning efforts to replace the nearly 100-year old Vista Flume (Flume).  The Flume is the District’s only means of transporting treated water from the Escondido-Vista Water Treatment Plant to the District’s service area.

With the 11-mile Flume nearing the end of its useful life, the District prepared a Water Supply Planning Study (Study) to evaluate whether the structure should be replaced or retired.  The Study weighed a number of factors when comparing the two options, including costs, reliability, water quality, environmental protection, existing water supply obligations and assets.  Results from the yearlong Study identified replacement of the Flume as the least costly and preferred alternative, providing the District with increased water supply reliability; the project, including planning, design and construction, is estimated to cost between $120 million and $130 million.

Flume replacement planning costs are estimated to range between $1.7 and $3.0 million and will include an alignment study, environmental documentation and compliance, and financial planning.