Commission hears 2025 capital projects update: two wells, reservoir rehab and transmission work

Oro Valley water utility staff told the commission Jan. 13 that two new wells are planned to move into construction this year and several booster and transmission projects are under way as part of ongoing capital improvements.

Lee (water utility staff) presented project‑by‑project updates. The La Posada (Nokomaskai) well—drilled earlier and resampled—was described as having specifications ready; staff said they expected approval to construct (ATC) to be issued around mid‑February so the work can be bid and a contractor selected, with the target to have the source online by the end of the utility’s fiscal year (June–July 2025) if there are no construction delays.

A second well at the Steam Pump site was also described as moving toward construction after recent resampling; staff reported they expect to receive lab results and procure ATC packages shortly and said that site coordination with the historical society and parks and recreation over perimeter walls had been resolved.

Staff reported Big Wash reservoir work completed in October: the interior of a 200,000‑gallon reservoir was recoated and the roof and supporting rafters were replaced; an adjacent 150,000‑gallon reservoir exterior was also recoated. At other sites, the utility is evaluating scope for a High Mesa booster rehabilitation and said the coming La Canada booster (expected online in early May 2025) will change how that rehabilitation is scoped.

The presentation also covered partner and independent transmission work associated with the Northwest Recharge Recovery Delivery System (NWRRDS) partnership among Oro Valley, Metro Water and Marana. Staff said the partnered forebay/reservoir and distribution boosters are nearing completion: transmission main construction was reported at roughly 60–75% complete by dollars expended, with final design for the last portion underway to thread the line through a subdivision alignment.

Other project highlights cited by staff: - Shannon Road booster: reported as about 90% complete; three hydrants and three resident services installed (residents paid for the services requested). - La Canada booster: reported about 80% complete with an expected finish around May 2025; pumps already in place. - Twin Peaks booster and associated transmission crossings: contractor selected; staff estimated a 10‑month construction period and targeted an end‑of‑calendar‑year completion for that portion.

Staff told commissioners that the March meeting will tie the pieces together (partnered and independent segments of the NWRRDS) and include a field trip to an offsite reserve project for new members.

No formal action was taken on capital projects at the Jan. 13 meeting; the commission received the update and asked clarifying questions on timelines and interagency ownership of shared reservoirs and booster responsibilities.