California Water Service to Begin Infrastructure Upgrade to Improve Water Supply Reliability in Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—California Water Service (Cal Water) will begin a water infrastructure upgrade in June that will benefit customers by enhancing water supply reliability and fire protection in northeast Bakersfield. Cal Water crews will be installing a new 500,000-gallon water storage tank this summer that will not only help support current water supply capabilities but increase the existing water storage capacity by 150 percent for community in the area, including Bakersfield College and nearby fire stations.

“Water is vital to our wellbeing, and whether it’s needed to drink, cook, bathe, or fight fires, our crews work proactively to upgrade our water infrastructure so that we can maintain a reliable supply of it for our customers’ everyday and emergency needs,” said Rafael Molina, Bakersfield District Manager. “This infrastructure improvement is a prime example of the ongoing efforts to maintain and upgrade our water system, which help keep water service affordable for customers in the long run.”

This new tank will replace an aging 200,000-gallon storage tank, adding 300,000 gallons of water storage capacity to the system. This single-phase construction is expected to begin late June and finish at the end of October, weather permitting. Crews will be working Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., near the intersection of Wenatchee Avenue and Panorama Drive, just east of Bakersfield College. Traffic disruptions are not expected. 

About California Water Service

California Water Service provides high-quality, reliable water utility services to about 445,600 people through approximately 120,000 service connections in its Bakersfield District and the City of Bakersfield water system, which it operates, and more than 2 million people through 499,400 service connections statewide. Cal Water’s purpose is to enhance the quality of life for customers and communities. To do so, it invests responsibly in water and wastewater infrastructure, sustainability initiatives, and community well-being. The company’s employees live by a set of strong core values and share a commitment to protecting the planet, caring for people, and operating with the utmost integrity. The utility has been named one of “America’s Most Responsible Companies” and one of the “World’s Most Trustworthy Companies” by Newsweek, a USA Top Workplace, and a Great Place to Work®.  More information is available at www.calwater.com.

Released May 30, 2025