De Soto Tanks Project
INVESTING IN LA'S WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
Project Background
The De Soto Reservoir was placed into service in 1941 and is a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) drinking water storage facility located in the Chatsworth area of the San Fernando Valley. LADWP will be replacing the aging reservoir with two new underground, pre-stressed circular concrete storage tanks and a pump station.
Project Description
The De Soto Tanks Project is an important water infrastructure investment, designed to increase the reliability of LADWP’s water distribution system in the West San Fernando Valley areas of Chatsworth, Canoga Park, West Hills and Woodland Hills.
The proposed project includes replacing the existing three million-gallon (MG) De Soto Reservoir with two underground, concrete storage tanks immediately north of the existing reservoir site. The combined operating storage capacity of the new tanks will be approximately 20 MG, nearly seven times more than the existing facility.
Upon completion of the De Soto Tanks, the existing De Soto Reservoir will be demolished.
The De Soto Tanks will provide additional water storage needed to allow LADWP operational flexibility during planned or emergency outages. The tanks will also provide additional emergency water supply to the West San Fernando Valley.
Construction Information
The new concrete storage tanks will each measure approximately 240 feet in diameter by 40 feet high and will be placed underground, below the existing grade level in order to achieve target elevations.
To accommodate secure placement of these tanks, an initial excavation to a depth of 50 feet is required. This process will likely include steep slope cuts and vertical walls of up to 40 feet to support the excavation. Currently, an additional geotechnical investigation is being conducted to confirm the final location of the tanks.
Phase 1 includes the tank construction, as well as the installation of approximately 2,500 linear feet of new inlet and outlet pipelines and a regulator station that will be instrumental in reducing water pressure coming from the Los Angeles Aqueduct Filtration Plant, located in Sylmar.
Phase 2 includes the demolition of the existing De Soto Reservoir.
Construction Schedule
Phase 1 - De Soto Tanks: Winter 2027 to Fall 2030
Phase 2 - Demolish Existing Reservoir: To Be Determined
Traffic Impacts
Temporary tow-away/no parking signs will be posted as needed. Access to businesses, residences, and the equestrian trail will be maintained at all times.
Contact Information
Project Manager: Nathan Sheagley, (213) 367-3776, [email protected]
Community Liaison: Christina Holland, (213) 367-1076, [email protected]