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Pasadena Water and Power gives residents timeline, $81 million cost estimate for Sunset Reservoir overhaul amid visibility and traffic concerns
Summary
Pasadena Water and Power presented a plan to replace aging Sunset reservoirs with two new prestressed concrete tanks, a groundwater‑treatment plant, solar canopies (~1.6 MW) and entry upgrades; staff said construction could start in summer 2027, is expected to last about two years, and the current construction cost estimate is roughly $81 million. Neighbors raised concerns about visibility, parking and possible use of the Hammond gate.
Pasadena Water and Power officials told a District 3 audience that the Sunset Complex project will replace more than a century‑old reservoir with two new prestressed concrete tanks, add groundwater treatment, expand emergency power and add solar canopies and EV chargers.
Michael Lynn, the project manager, said the two new reservoirs will together provide the backbone for the distribution system and that the current site is vulnerable to earthquakes and leakage. Lynn reported a design that includes a phase‑1 groundwater‑treatment capacity of about 1,500 gallons per minute with room to expand to roughly 4,500 gpm, chloroamination disinfection, solar canopies over parking and reservoir roofs (approximately 1.6 megawatts), and upgraded site entrances including a new left‑turn signal to ease ingress and egress. Lynn stated that the construction cost is currently estimated at about $81 million.
Lynn said design and environmental studies began in 2020, 95% design work has recently started, and procurement is expected to follow; construction procurement is targeted for summer 2027 with construction lasting roughly two years and substantial completion anticipated around 2029. Funding discussions include an EPA loan application being negotiated and a PWP award of a construction grant just under $1 million for the groundwater treatment component.
Residents pressed project staff on staging, traffic routing, visibility from Sunset Avenue and the potential use of the Hammond gate for staff parking or limited construction access. Lynn said the Hammond gate would be used only as a last resort, restricted to certain hours when needed, and subject to badge controls and security personnel for monitoring. He also described mitigation measures contractors must follow—work‑hour limits (typically 7 a.m.–7 p.m.), dust suppression, parking and a traffic‑management plan—and said the team will provide a contact for neighbors during construction.
Neighbors asked about the environmental‑review status and future comment opportunities; staff said the public comment period for the EIR has closed but the project team will continue to accept and review comments. Residents requested additional renderings showing parked vehicles and improved screening; staff said they would consider updated visualizations and potential relocation of EV chargers to reduce visibility.
What happens next: staff will finalize design and environmental responses, continue public outreach, and pursue procurement and funding steps; neighbors asked the city to document that Hammond‑gate access is temporary and to commit to enforcement against routine shortcutting by city vehicles.
