California Water Service Completes Water Infrastructure Upgrades to Improve Water Supply Reliability and Fire Protection in Kern River Valley
LAKE ISABELLA, Calif.—California Water Service (Cal Water) has completed work on an infrastructure upgrade that will improve water supply reliability and fire protection for its customers in the Kern River Valley.
The infrastructure improvement project included retrofitting an existing storage tank in the Lower Bodfish system to protect the system from stresses and potential leaks or failures caused by seismic activity. The tank upgrade began in April 2025 and was completed earlier this month.
"This project is an example of how we invest in infrastructure responsibly, so that we can keep water service reliable and affordable in the long run," said Kellen Boyce, Cal Water's Kern River Valley Operations Manager. "Upgrades such as this one also help us improve our emergency preparedness so that water infrastructure does not fail during emergencies and natural disasters."
The tank upgrade is part of Cal Water's broader commitment to proactive, ongoing maintenance and upgrades that support safe, clean, reliable drinking water.
California Water Service, which celebrates a century of service this year, provides high-quality, reliable water utility services to about 5,200 people through 4,200 service connections in the Kern River Valley, 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 January 28, 2026