Sunset Reservoir Improvement Project Meeting Scheduled for Thursday

Pasadena Water & Power will host a community meeting this Thursday to discuss the proposed Sunset Complex Project.

The project includes replacement & improvement of infrastructure at Sunset Reservoir to ensure customers continue to have access to safe, reliable drinking water.

Water supplies across the state are reaching historically low levels due to the ongoing drought.

Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) is looking to address aging water infrastructure and improving local resiliency.

The Sunset Reservoir is one of 14 reservoirs that serve a critical role in the city’s drinking water system. Approximately 25% of the City’s water demand is served by the Sunset Reservoirs.

The reservoirs which have been in service for more than 125 years and need to be replaced. The proposed “Sunset Complex Project” improves system reliability to ensure that all of PWP’s water customers have access to safe drinking water. This project will also improve the aesthetics of the Sunset Complex site.

The Sunset Complex Project will replace the existing reservoirs with two circular concrete storage reservoirs that will be designed to current seismic standards.

A new groundwater treatment plant will consist of ion exchange to remove perchlorate; liquid phase granular activated carbon to remove volatile organic compounds; and a disinfection system.

“This treatment system will allow PWP to utilize more of the city’s groundwater supply,” according to the city’s website.

The project will also include emergency power generators to keep the complex in operation in the event of a power outage.

PWP staff has held community outreach meetings informing the neighborhood of the project, and will continue to plan additional meetings as the project progresses. Currently, the Sunset Complex Project is in the environmental review process and design phase.

An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is being prepared for this project. A draft Initial Study has been posted, and is available for public review until May 9.