Leak in main Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District water line could force temporary shutdown

The view from Coombs Drive in Arcata down to the Janes Creek work site Tuesday morning. A contractor said they were still looking for the exact location of the leak. [KLH | Union]

Article Courtesy of Mad River Union:

The Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District (HBMWD) has hired a contractor to conduct emergency repairs on a leaky water line that supplies most water users in Arcata, Eureka and Manila. 

That line may be entirely shut down for about 24 hours at the end of this week. The leak is located near Coombs Drive and Janes Creek on the northeast end of Arcata.

The waster district held a special meeting Aug. 28 and hired GR Sundberg  to make the emergency repairs at a cost of about $150,000.

A staff report provided to the district’s Board of Directors explains how the leak was discovered.

”On Aug. 21, 2025, staff were locating the district’s transmission pipeline in efforts to maintain the district’s right-of-way. While locating the transmission pipeline, surface water was encountered,” the report states. “On Aug. 22, 2025, staff confirmed surface water near the district’s water transmission pipeline was potable water. After additional investigation on Aug. 25, 2025, staff discovered the approximate location of the transmission pipeline leak on a hillside above Janes Creek. The existing 33-inch transmission pipeline serves most of the district’s municipal and retail customers.”

On Aug. 27, a temporary bridge was installed on the creek so workers can access the pipe without entering the creek. 

On Thursday, Sept. 4, the contractor is scheduled to excavate the area around the leaking pipe. 

On Friday, Sept. 5, the pipeline will be turned off and drained.  The pipeline may be off-line for about 24 hours during the repair.

The district may notify water customers to conserve water, although that did not happen before the Mad River Union went to press.

The pipeline should be back online by Saturday, Sept. 6.