Department of State Hospitals Metropolitan Water Tanks #1 and #2 Replacement Project

The Department of State Hospitals Metropolitan Water Tanks #1 and #2 Replacement Project is a major infrastructure upgrade located at the Metropolitan State Hospital campus in Norwalk, California. The scope of work involves the demolition of two existing 22-foot-tall, 750,000-gallon-capacity water tanks and an existing nonpotable water pumphouse. These will be replaced by two new 40-foot-tall, 80-foot-diameter tanks, each with a 1,000,000-gallon capacity. Tank #1 will serve as the primary domestic water storage for the campus, while Tank #2 will function as a fire water storage tank connected to existing on-site fire pumps. The project also includes replacing piping, valving, and appurtenances, as well as verifying and completing connections from the 12-inch firewater main to the sprinkler systems in the hospital's central kitchen, administration building, and skilled nursing facility. Construction is scheduled to be executed in two distinct 12-month phases. Phase 1 is anticipated to begin in late 2025, and Phase 2 is expected to commence at the end of 2026, with the entire project slated for completion by 2027. Environmental reviews conducted under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) resulted in a Mitigated Negative Declaration, confirming that the project will not have significant environmental effects. Mitigation measures were addressed regarding potential impacts to hazards, hazardous materials, and tribal cultural resources. Additionally, coordination with Caltrans has been established to manage construction traffic, including recommendations for off-peak heavy truck travel and the requirement for permits for oversized vehicles to minimize impacts on state highways.