Vic Trace Reservoir Replacement Project

The City of Santa Barbara Public Works Department, Water Resources Division plans to replace its Vic Trace Drinking Water Reservoir. The Reservoir was originally constructed starting in 1952 as a partially buried, 10-million-gallon concrete reservoir used for treated drinking water storage, becoming the City’s largest reservoir. Located in the Alta Mesa neighborhood, this reservoir serves as a vital component of the City's water distribution system, serving nearly 60,000 people or approximately 70% of Santa Barbara's population.

The City of Santa Barbara is committed to investing in its water infrastructure, including aging facilities like Vic Trace Reservoir, to ensure a safe, resilient water system for the community now and in the future. This multi-year Project designs and constructs a new reservoir of the same capacity that is capable of meeting future needs for water quality, resiliency, and reliability. The nearby pipelines, valves, and pump stations will also be evaluated for repair and replacement. Along with providing significant improvements to water operations, this upgraded water storage reservoir will include improved resiliency to natural disasters and climate change, improved configuration for more efficient operation, and tightened security.

The Phase 1 Environmental Assessment for the Project was completed in the fall of 2023. The Project’s design and Phase 2 environmental contracts were approved at City Council on May 14, 2024. As this Project moves forward, the City is committed to an open and transparent process that engages residents and nearby businesses throughout the design, environmental review, and construction phases of the Project. This includes a robust communication and public outreach process, including soliciting feedback through community workshops and other engagement activities during the design and environmental phases.  Public meetings are anticipated to start as early as winter 2025. 

 

The new water storage reservoirs will meet current seismic standards and will have upgraded technology and systems, requiring less resources to operate, which will help increase the overall efficiency of the water delivery system and improve water quality, making it more cost-beneficial for all.

Replacing Vic Trace Reservoir also means continuing the City’s ability to store a large amount of water locally, which is a key element of Santa Barbara’s strategy to remain more resilient and resistant to local emergencies or other climate change-related issues (i.e. storms, wildfires). 

Lastly, the Project will address updated federal regulations that require more robust security for water infrastructure (as outlined by the American Water Infrastructure Act). The City is committed to the safety and security of its drinking water supply, including the associated infrastructure and facilities.

The City will hold two community workshops to provide an update on the Project:

• Community Engagement Workshop for the Vic Trace Reservoir Replacement Project
  Thursday, May 1, 2025
  5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  Monroe Elementary School (431 Flora Vista Dr.)
  Event Info| Add Event to Your Calendar 
   
• Virtual Community Engagement Workshop for the Vic Trace Reservoir Replacement Project
  Wednesday, May 7, 2025
  5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.  
  Register for the Zoom webinar
  Event Info| Add Event to Your Calendar 

March 20, 2025 Water Commission Meeting documents:

Project Overview:
Water Commission April 18, 2024 Video Recording
Water Commission April 18, 2024 Staff Report