Hunt Club PRS Rehabilitation
Summary
SCH Number
2026060078
Public Agency
Santa Margarita Water District
Document Title
Hunt Club PRS Rehabilitation
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/2/2026
Document Description
The project consists of the rehabilitation of an existing underground pressure reducing vault within the public water distribution system. Work includes the complete replacement of all existing interior piping, valves, fittings, and appurtenances within the vault, extending from the vault interior back to the connection points at the street main tie-ins. The existing piping and valves, which are over 45 years old and have reached the end of their useful service life, will be replaced in-kind with new components of equivalent function and capacity. Additionally, the project will install a new access ladder equipped with a safety up-post (ladder extension) and a new vault lid/access hatch to provide compliant and safer confined space entry for maintenance personnel. All work will occur within the footprint of the existing vault and immediately adjacent right-of-way at the existing main connection points. No expansion of the vault structure, no increase in system capacity, and no change in operational function will result from the project. The purpose of the project is to restore and maintain the reliability, safety, and operational integrity of an aging component of the existing water distribution infrastructure. Replacement of the deteriorated 45+ year-old piping and valves will reduce the risk of in-service failure, leaks, and unplanned service disruptions, while the new ladder, safety up-post, and vault lid will bring worker access into compliance with current Cal/OSHA confined-space and fall-protection standards. The beneficiaries include the existing water customers served by this segment of the distribution system, who will continue to receive reliable water service with reduced risk of outages or pressure-related disruptions; agency operations and maintenance personnel, who will benefit from safer code-compliant access to the vault; and the general public, through the continued reliable operation of essential public water infrastructure.
Contact Information
Name
Tricia Butler
Agency Name
Santa Margarita Water District
Job Title
Chief Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project / Responsible Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
San Juan Capistrano
Counties
Orange
Regions
Citywide, Countywide, Southern California
Cross Streets
Hunt Club Drive and Fox Run
Zip
92675
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2 Replacement Section 15302, Class 1 Existing Facilities Section 15301(b)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 1 exempts the repair, or minor alteration of existing public facilities, mechanical equipment involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. The pressure reducing vault is an existing public utility facility, and the project consists solely of in-kind replacement of deteriorated piping, valves, and access components within the existing vault footprint. Section 15301(b) specifically lists "existing facilities of both investor and publicly owned utilities used to provide... water... or other public utility services" as qualifying for this exemption. There will be no expansion of use, no increase in capacity, and no change in the function of the facility.
County Clerk
Orange
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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