Water recedes in the ACID canal at the South Street bridge in Redding on Oct. 30, 2023. ACID board President Dan Woolery said the district usually treats the canal twice a year for irrigation weeds, but this year only treated it once due to extensive leaks downstream. Photo by Mike Chapman
In the summer of 2024 our Paris Park Homeowners Association was contacted by the City of Redding sewer dept about thousands of gallons of clean water flowing into the sewer from one of our home’s laterals. We were advised it was our responsibility to repair laterals because clean water was upsetting the chemical balance in their sewer facility. The amount of water flowing while the ACID canal was full made it impossible to repair until the canal was shut down for the season.
Early in 2025, before the canal was filled, we had to dig up about 50 feet of street asphalt and concrete sidewalk and dig soil to a depth of 9 feet to repair two breaks in the sewer lateral caused by the powerful water flow from the canal. The cost of repairs was around $15,000 dollars. After repairs the COR sewer dept returned that summer and reported no clean water was flowing.
In 2026, after the canal was filled with water, a resident near the same area as before reported problems with her sewer backing up. She called a plumber, the lateral was scoped and a break due to erosion was discovered. The COR sewer department was contacted and they scoped the main sewer once again and found thousands of gallons of clean water flowing daily into the sewer from two different laterals from homes on different sides of the sewer main.
As of this date, once again we are being required to dig up our streets to repair laterals damaged by the ACID canal water due to underground leaks. It has been scoped and confirmed, when the canal is full, water flows into the damaged laterals when the canal is shut down and the canal drains no water flows into the damaged laterals. Estimates for repairs will begin again in August. Since two laterals are involved, it is anticipated that the cost of repairs will be higher.
Talks with Dan Woolery at ACID were sympathetic but unsuccessful. Our HOA cannot afford for this to continue. Legal action is like David vs. Goliath. Our association has no idea how to fight this. The latest Grand Jury report points out canal problems, yet our problems with the canal remain in the background.
Editor’s note: The Paris Park Homeowners Association manages the Paris Park Gated Community, an active 55+ senior residential neighborhood located at 2000 Paris Ave, Redding, CA 96001
Marv Hoag
President Paris Park HOA
