Written by Michael Palomba
Better drinking water reliability is coming to North County after the San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors approved an $11.4 million construction project on Friday.
The approval of the Hauck Mesa Storage Reservoir clears the way for the demolition of an abandoned steel tank, building a 2.1 million-gallon storage reservoir connected to the Valley Center Pipeline, and construction of an isolation vault and an underground flow-control facility. The project will begin on Friday and officials estimate it will be completed by winter of 2022.
The project will be contracted by Pacific Hydrotech Corporation of Perris. PHC was founded in 1987 and in the last few decades has become a leader in the water and wastewater construction industry in Southern California and surrounding areas.
“These upgrades are investments in our future,” said Gary Croucher, Water Authority board chair. “Ever-changing conditions mean the work is complex and challenging, but continued vigilance helps ensure that we can meet our region’s water needs both today and for decades to come.”
For residents in Valley Center who are worried about construction impacts, the Water Authority has said it will work with the community and the Valley Center Municipal Water District to minimize short-term construction impacts.
“The new Hauck Mesa Storage Reservoir will provide operational flexibility, enhanced system reliability for the day-to-day operations of the aqueduct system, and help ensure water deliveries can be maintained even if power supplies are interrupted.”
Photo via San Diego County Water Authority
