City of Santa Cruz - Scotts Valley Intertie
Project Overview
The Scotts Valley Intertie project will link the treated water systems of the City of Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley Water District. This critical regional project will enable the two agencies to better coordinate and maximize the use of surface and groundwater supplies, and ensure active and passive recharge in the Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin. The intertie will also improve fire protection through increased fire-response flows, and will enable agencies to share water as available during water shortages.
The project includes the construction of a new 2-mile pipeline and an accompanying pump station. The pipeline will be constructed along Firehouse Lane, Sims Road and La Madrona Drive between Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley. The pump station will be built at 6000 La Madrona Drive on a parcel owned by the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District.
Funded by a $6.5 million state Department of Water Resources Grant, this project is part of Climate Resilient Santa Cruz, an ongoing initiative of the City of Santa Cruz that aims to respond to anticipated future impacts from climate change. Once completed, it will be the final link connecting all public water agencies from La Selva Beach to the San Lorenzo Valley.
The City of Santa Cruz is overseeing implementation of the project and is committed to being good neighbors during construction. Please read our Good Neighbor Commitment(PDF, 55KB) to learn what you can expect from us.
Project Schedule
- Design: Spring 2024 (complete)
- Bid Solicitation: Spring 2024 - Summer 2024 (complete)
- Construction: Winter 2025 - Winter 2026 (in progress)
Road Work Construction Schedule
- 2/19 - 3/14: Utility surveying & WEF Installation in Firehouse Lane
- 3/10 - 3/26: Sims Road to 1967 La Madrona (pending rain delays & potholing review)
- 3/27 - 4/14: 1967 La Madrona to Oak Acres
- 4/15 - 4/30: Oak Acres to 4141 La Madrona
- 5/1 - 5/21: 4141 La Madrona to 6000 La Madrona (pump station site)
- 5/22 - 6/10: Fire House Lane (not including Sims Road)
- 6/11 - 7/27: Sims Road between Brook Knoll Drive and La Madrona
- 11/18 - 12/8: Roadway Restoration
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Project Contact
Taylor Kihoi
tkihoi@santacruzca.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Intertie Project?
The Scotts Valley Intertie project will link the treated water systems of the City of Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley Water District. This critical regional project will enable the two agencies to better coordinate and maximize the use of surface and groundwater supplies, and ensure active and passive recharge of the Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin. The intertie will also improve fire protection through increased fire-response flows, new fire hydrants and will enable agencies to share water as available during water shortages.
Why is the intertie pipeline needed?
In the face of threats from severe wildfires, longer droughts, record rainfall from atmospheric rivers and other impacts of climate change, the Santa Cruz Water Department and Scotts Valley Water District are partnering on a collaborative intertie project to build a critical pipeline connecting the two water agencies. The intertie project will dramatically increase system resilience, improve emergency preparedness and ensure the availability of reliable, safe drinking water.
Where will the new pipeline be located?
The two-mile pipeline will be under Firehouse Lane and La Madrona Drive, connecting the Santa Cruz Water Department's Kite Hill Tanks to a new pump station that will be built on property owned by the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District at 6000 La Madrona Drive.
How long will traffic delays be?
Most drivers will experience delays of 5 minutes or less. While the County permits the contractor to hold vehicles for up to 15 minutes when necessary, this happens rarely. To minimize disruption, the contractor will pause work during busy traffic times to allow vehicles to pass.
What is being done to minimize noise impact to neighbors?
Work hours will be limited to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What is being done to minimize traffic impacts, especially for Brook Knoll Elementary School families and staff?
Work restrictions and traffic controls are in-place including limited construction hours, doing certain work during non-school periods, and a commitment to maintaining the flow of traffic to the greatest extent possible. One-lane traffic control will be in place on sections of La Madrona Drive during construction.
This area is heavily wooded. What is being done to protect trees and habitat?
Some tree limbing along La Madrona Drive and limbing and removal on Firehouse Lane will be necessary to complete the pipeline. The pipeline alignment was selected to minimize or avoid damage to trees. The project is committed to habitat restoration which will involve seeding with native plants, protecting rare plants, and removing invasive, non-native species to improve the quality of the oak woodland habitat in the work area on Firehouse Lane.
How is the project funded?
The project is funded through a $6.5 million state Department of Water Resources grant and cost sharing between Scotts Valley Water District and the City of Santa Cruz.