Construction
on the Upper Chiquita Reservoir continues to move forward
since its groundbreaking in June 2009. The photo, which
views the UCR project looking north towards the Saddleback
Mountains, shows the actual cut of the reservoir from
end to end.
Since construction began in June, more than 360,000 cubic
yards of soil have been moved.
Project Update - Construction
Moves Forward on Upper Chiquita Reservoir
Groundbreaking
Ceremony marks the start of
construction on the Upper Chiquita Reservoir
September 2009 - Improved water
supply reliability for south Orange County residents
continues to be in the near future with the construction
of the 244 million gallon Upper Chiquita Reservoir,
which remains on schedule for completion in December
2010, according to the Santa Margarita Water District.
Since construction began on the
reservoir in mid-June, more than 360,000 cubic yards
of soil – enough to fill a football field 200
feet high - have been excavated from the site and
will be used to backfill the future reservoir and
create an embankment.
“About 70 percent of the reservoir’s
excavation process is complete,” said Bart Lantz,
Construction Service Manager for SMWD. “The
deepest part of the reservoir has been excavated to
its final grade of 160 feet below the future reservoir’s
water surface.”
The Upper Chiquita Reservoir will
provide a new domestic water reserve for south Orange
County and is needed to ensure sufficient storage
in the event of a water supply disruption or emergency.
The reservoir will hold enough water to serve 168,000
local families with approximately 200 gallons per
day of fresh water for one week.
Santa Margarita Water District has
partnered with four south Orange County water agencies
and cities to fund the design, construction and maintenance
of the $36.1 million Upper Chiquita Reservoir –
the largest domestic water storage facility built
in south Orange County in decades.
The reservoir sits on the western
slope of Chiquita Canyon, north of Oso Parkway near
the 241 Toll Road in the City of Rancho Santa Margarita.
Commuters may catch a glimpse of the reservoir’s
construction when driving on the 241 Toll Road near
the Oso Parkway on- and off-ramps.
Want more information about
the Upper Chiquita Reservoir?
For more
information about the project, please call 949-459-6400
or email us at info@smwd.com
The Upper Chiquita Reservoir is a new emergency
water storage facility by the Santa Margarita Water District
in partnership with Moulton Niguel Water District, South Coast
Water District and the cities of San Juan Capistrano and San
Clemente. Upon completion in December 2010, the reservoir
will provide South County water agencies with up to 244 million
gallons of emergency drinking water – enough to supply
more than 168,000 local families with 200 gallons of domestic
water per day for one week in the event of a regional or statewide
water service disruption.
