BREA : Construction to Start on New Reservoir

Construction is scheduled to begin today on a 15-million-gallon reservoir in the hills north of Site Drive.

The $2.6-million covered steel tank will provide increased water storage for normal operating demands and for emergency situations in the area west of the Orange Freeway.

Still in the planning stage is a 10-million-gallon reservoir that will provide additional water storage for the city’s east side. Brea Maintenance Services Director Patrick McCarron said the city is acquiring property for the east side reservoir, which would be built in the hills north of Lambert Road and Kraemer Boulevard.

When both of the new reservoirs are operating, Brea will have enough water storage to last slightly more than seven days in case of emergency, McCarron said. Currently, Brea has 3.4 days of storage.

The Metropolitan Water District is advising cities to have between seven and 10 days of storage, McCarron said, in case the outside water supply is interrupted for routine system maintenance or for emergencies such as earthquakes, fires and droughts.

Both of the new reservoirs will be built outside city limits but within Brea’s sphere of influence area.

Construction on the yearlong West Side Reservoir Project will occur in two phases. From today through mid-November, the contractor is scheduled to grade a portion of a ridge top to create a bowl accommodating the partially submerged steel tank.

After the grading is complete, the contractor will repave Site Drive north of Central Avenue to repair damage caused by truck traffic.

The project’s second phase, which is expected to be finished during July, 1995, will involve installation and painting of the tank and construction of large water mains that will connect to the city water system.

Trees, ground cover and shrubs will be planted at the reservoir to beautify the site and screen the tank from nearby homes.

“It should not be visible at all from down here,” Brea Assistant City Manager Tim O’Donnell said. “We’re trying to make it look as natural, like it’s not there, as much as possible.”

Funding for the reservoir is being provided through the 1991 Water System Improvement Bond Issue. The need for the west side and east side reservoirs was identified in the city’s 1989 Water Master Plan study.

Updates on the construction project are available by calling a city-operated hot line at (714) 671-4410.