Water Projects in Your Neighborhood
Current and Upcoming Projects
(as of March 2025)
Watch a short video from former Water Director Rosemary Menard to learn about the need to reinvest in the community's water system
We're committed to being good neighbors when we're working in your neighborhood. Please read our Good Neighbor Commitment(PDF, 55KB) to learn what you can expect from us.
Newell Creek Pipeline Replacement Project
Felton/Graham Hill, April 2024 - Summer 2026:
This project 3.7 miles of the Newell Creek Pipeline out of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and under Graham Hill Road, avoiding more environmentally sensitive areas and geologic hazards that have caused past breaks. This segment of the Newell Creek Pipeline was identified as the highest-priority segment for replacement. The pipeline transports water between Loch Lomond Reservoir, the City's reservoir, and the Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant. This project ensures the continued reliability of this critical water supply pipeline. The work will occur from the intersection between Graham Hill Road and East Zayante Road in Felton, down Graham Hill Road to Henry Cowell Drive.
Newell Creek Pipeline Replacement Project
Santa Cruz-Scotts Valley Intertie Pipeline
February - December 2024:
This critically important project will dramatically increase system resilience, improve emergency preparedness, and ensure the availability of reliable, safe drinking water for customers of both agencies. The intertie will link the potable water systems of the City of Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley Water District by constructing a new 2-mile pipeline and pump station. The pipeline route will include La Madrona Drive, Sims Road and Firehouse Lane. The pipeline is the final link in a regional effort to connect public water systems from Boulder Creek to La Selva Beach.
Santa Cruz-Scotts Valley Intertie Pipeline
University Tank No. 4 Replacement Project
August 2024- January 2026:
University Tank No. 4 (U4) is a 400,000-gallon steel tank constructed in 1965. Video inspections of U4 in 2019 revealed signs of corrosion on the tank floor, shell, and roof, necessitating a full rehabilitation or replacement project to ensure ongoing reliability. Planning work determined that replacement instead of rehabilitation of the current tank provided the best benefit/cost balance. The project is currently in design and includes the design of a replacement tank, a secondary maintenance tank, site access and drainage improvements, and fire resiliency features.
Beltz Water Treatment Plant Filter Replacement Project
October 2024 - Spring 2026:
The Beltz Water Treatment Plant is a 2 million-gallon-per-day groundwater treatment plant built in the early 1970s that draws water from three wells in the Live Oak area. This project will replace an aged and unusable filter vessel to ensure the continued reliability of the facility for daily operations.
Concrete Tanks Replacement Project
Summer 2021 - Fall 2025
Concrete Tanks Replacement Project
Beltz 12 Ammonia Removal Improvements Project
November 2024 - June 2025
Beltz 12 Ammonia Removal Improvements Project
Beltz 12 Upgrades for Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Project
March 2025 - May 2026
The project consists of converting the existing drinking water production well (Beltz 12) to support ASR functionality and includes the following: demolition and modification of the existing well facility; modification of existing mechanical, piping, electrical, instrumentation, and control systems; installation of a corrosion control system; installation of a new downhole well control valve and piping.
Beltz 12 Upgrades for Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Project
New Updates
Final Public Notice Felton Diversion Pipeline Repair
Construction Completed
This project repaired damage to the Felton Diversion Pipeline under Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared disaster DR-4683 and the Water Department is seeking reimbursement funds through the Public Assistance Grant Program. The notice linked above serves as a project-specific final notice for FEMA's funding action located within a Special Flood Hazard Area. Instructions for submitting comments, questions, or to obtain a map of this specific project are included in the notice. Requests must be received within 15 days of the date of the notice.
Final Public Notice: Felton Diversion Pipeline Repair(PDF, 187KB)
Past Projects
Spring Street Main Replacement Project
June 2024 - October 2024:
The existing main on Spring Street was installed with the Allegro Heights subdivision in 1939. This old, undersized water main will be replaced with approximately 1,000 LF of new 6” pipe which will result in fewer service interruptions and allow for increased firefighting capacity. Work began near High Street in June 2024 and is anticipated to conclude near Laurent Street in Fall 2024.
Spring Street Main Replacement Project Map(PDF, 11MB)
Aquifer Storage and Recovery Beltz 9 Pilot Test Site Preparation and Monitoring Well
Sept 2023 - June 2024:
This project installed a monitoring well and temporary monitoring equipment and performed maintenance on the existing well to prepare for the Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) pilot test program. ASR Pilot testing commenced November through June 2024 the information developed during the ASR pilot test program will be utilized by the city to evaluate the Beltz Well 9 as a potential permanent ASR well to increase community water supplies.
Contact Us
Please call us at the numbers below with any questions or concerns!
Water Customer Service
(9:00am-5:00pm, Mon-Fri)
831.420.5220
Water Distribution
(7:00am-3:30pm, Mon-Fri)
831.420.5560
After Hours, Weekends and Holidays
831.429.7525