Mechanical development continues

Capital Improvement Projects

In Progress: 

Sucinto Well (3B Replacement)

• Background: Construction on the well began in May 2023 but was halted in Fall 2023 after the driller’s work was unsuccessful. The District’s Board of Directors selected a new driller through a public process. Though unfortunate, this is in the best interest of District customers and aligned with the District's mission of delivering a reliable supply of high-quality water.
• Status: Construction of the 1,500-foot-deep Sucinto Well restarted in early March. Around-the-clock drilling began Wednesday, April 17, and is progressing on schedule. The pilot hole drilling has been completed and the project has progressed to pilot hole reaming. This portion of the project requires the driller to widen the pilot hole by drilling with a 22-inch drill bit to the final depth of approximately 1,500 feet.
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Bethany Tank Rehabilitation

Bethany Tank is being evaluated by a rehabilitation specialist who will inspect structural members, existing coating thickness, and the general condition of the internals of the tank. Once completed, the rehabilitation specialist will provide a report on recommendations. The tank may be rehabilitated or replaced based on the report.

• Status: Evaluation has been completed. The Rehabilitation Specialist provided the District with the final evaluation and a Concept Projects Analysis, which shared the relative costs to rehabilitate, replace or relocate Bethany Tank. Staff recommended proceeding with the identified concept project of replacing the existing 400,000-gallon Bethany tank with two 200,000-gallon tanks to improve operational efficiencies at this site. The next step is conducting a site geologic/geotechnical investigation to determine if the existing tank site will support the recommended concept project.

Intertie #1- Scotts Valley-City of Santa Cruz Water System Interconnection

The grant-funded $9.45M project will connect the Santa Cruz Water Department system with the Scotts Valley Water District and San Lorenzo Valley Water District to create a more resilient regional water supply.

In early 2022, the Department of Water Resources funded a 9,200-foot intertie between the City's and the Scotts Valley Water District's water service areas. The intertie will enable the districts to evaluate real opportunities to coordinate and maximize use of surface and groundwater supplies, supporting greater resiliency for water users. Options including both passive and active recharge of the Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin, along with potential water-banking strategies, will be considered. Importantly, the intertie will also improve fire protection through increased fire-response flows.

• Status: Construction is anticipated to begin in late summer to early fall 2024 and last 12-18 months.

Monte Fiore Pump Station Rehab

The pump station will be redesigned to meet current industry standards, including creating better access to piping, replacing antiquated control panels and protecting equipment from the elements with a roofed structure.

• Status: In planning stages.

Glenwood Tank Stabilization

A landslide occurred below the tank during storms in 2023 and needs to be stabilized to protect the integrity of the water tank. 

• Status: The City of Scotts Valley is pursuing FEMA Public Assistance funding for this project.

Recently Completed: 

Main Replacement Project

Aged, undersized 2-inch water mains at the end of Bethany Drive were replaced with 6-inch pipes in early Spring 2024.

Hacienda Pump Station

The pump station was redesigned to meet current industry standards, including creating better access to piping, replacing antiquated control panels and protecting equipment from the elements with a roofed structure. The updated pump station is operational and online.

Grace Way Exploratory Borehole

Drilling began in mid-August 2023 and was completed in October. Groundwater from the Butano Aquifer was reached at a depth of 1,000 feet. Geophysical information gained from this exploratory borehole will inform the design of the future Grace Way Well, which will be drilled on the same site in Late Summer-Fall 2024.

Distribution Improvements in Montevalle

Using ground-penetrating radar, crews located 1,500 feet of underground distribution lines in the Montevalle neighborhood.

Upcoming: 

• Additional Distribution System Improvements in Montevalle
• Corp Yard Improvements
• La Cuesta Pipeline Improvements
• Systemwide Pressure-Reduction Study
• El Pueblo Water Treatment Plant Improvements