Vic Trace Reservoir Replacement Project

The City of Santa Barbara is preparing to replace its aging 10-million-gallon Vic Trace Reservoir with two new 5-million-gallon buried reservoirs at the same location, as part of a broader initiative to enhance the reliability, resilience, and operational flexibility of the city’s water system. The project includes full demolition of the existing reservoir, construction of the new underground storage facilities with soil cover, and replacement of the current Valve Building with a modern facility housing pumps, disinfection systems, and electrical equipment. Additional improvements involve reabandoning an old oil well to current regulatory standards, constructing new access roads and landscaping, installing potential renewable energy and storage systems, and relocating and abandoning the existing pressure reducing valve station while constructing a new one underground. Offsite work includes installing, replacing, and rerouting water pipelines in surrounding streets and temporarily using a city-owned residential property for construction offices. The project is scheduled to be completed over approximately three years and will involve demolition, grading, excavation, pipeline installation, and facility construction. The procurement is listed as a forecast with a posted date of June 9, 2026, under NAICS code 237990, and the primary point of contact is Kelly Bourque, Supervising Engineer at the City of Santa Barbara. Design standards follow the 2010 California Building Code and ASCE 7-05 for seismic performance on Site Class C soils with a peak ground acceleration of 0.520g and critical structure occupancy, and environmental compliance is governed by CEQA, EPA regulations, OSHA, and state hazardous materials standards. While no formal contract value is specified, performance expectations emphasize sustained water pressure, regulatory adherence, emergency water availability, and integration of sustainable technologies. Environmental review processes require submission of an Environmental Impact Report or Negative Declaration with 15 hardcopies and one electronic copy, including a Summary Form and Notice of Completion, though no official deadline, award methodology, or detailed pricing structure is provided.