University Mound Reservoir's Spring Community Open House

Earlier last month, residents of the Portola District were invited to attend the University Mound Reservoir’s Spring Community Open House. At this event, residents were given an update on the seismic upgrade underway at the North Basin. Also, for the first time, residents were introduced to the proposed small renewable hydro-electric project slated to begin in 2012 at the South Basin of the reservoir.

Communication Staff Suzanne Gautier welcomes residents to the open house.

The North Basin seismic upgrade that started in late September last year is on schedule and on-time. Close to 45% of the project has been completed as of April; most of the interior work, such as micro-piling, building of the moment frames and foundation reinforcement is complete. The major activity from summer to late fall will include the water proofing of the roof.

North Basin Seismic Upgrade Project Manager Saed Toloui speaks with a resident while a slideshow of the completed activities inside the reservoir plays in the background.

Although it will not go into construction until 2012, attendees were provided information on the small renewable hydro-electric project proposed at the South Basin of the reservoir adjacent to the McLaren Pump Station. This pilot project will capture excess water pressure from the Crystal Springs Reservoir and provide additional hydro-electricity into our municipal loads. The project is in the design phase, information provided at the open house focused on a rendering of the proposed facility.

Project Manager Russell Stepp discusses the South Basin Proposed Renewable Hydro-electric project to a resident.

Stepp explains where the proposed renewable hydro-electric project will be located.