Demolition to Begin on Fire-Damaged Water Tanks in Pasadena

Demolition work will begin this month on two fire-damaged water storage tanks in Pasadena’s Upper Hastings Ranch area, the city said Thursday.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and contractors will lead the removal of the Don Benito tanks and site, which were damaged in the Eaton Fire in January. The demolition is expected to be completed by the end of summer.

The two municipal water storage reservoirs, each with a capacity of 0.7 million gallons, served the city’s water system and provided storage and pressure regulation for the Don Benito pressure zone. The tanks were built in 1958 and had been in continuous operation until the fire damage.

“This is a positive step in the recovery process and ultimate rebuild of the facility, and we are grateful of the partnership and support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and neighboring agencies,” said David M. Reyes, general manager of Water and Power.

Pasadena is partnering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to accelerate recovery from the Eaton Fire. The demolition is part of the Los Angeles County Wildfire Debris Removal Mission.

Water service will continue throughout the demolition process, officials said. The tanks are located near Don Benito Fundamental School and surrounded by residential homes, parks and local businesses.

The city had been planning upgrades to the Don Benito Reservoirs, with design work scheduled for completion in the current Fiscal Year before the fire damage occurred.

Pasadena Water and Power recognizes and appreciates the partnership and resilience of the community as they collectively recover from the Eaton Fire, officials said.

Detailed information will be provided as it becomes available. More information on the Los Angeles County Wildfire Debris Removal Mission and the Eaton Fire Disaster Recovery is available at https://www.cityofpasadena.net/eaton-fire/.