California Water Service Working On Two Water Infrastructure Upgrades To Improve Water System Reliability And Fire Protection In Menlo Part

MENLO PARK, Calif.—California Water Service (Cal Water) has two water infrastructure upgrades underway that will improve water system reliability and fire protection in Menlo Park. Crews are installing a total of 9,300 feet of water main to strengthen the water system by increasing water flow and enhancing firefighting capabilities, and to reduce the potential for leaks or breaks.

Work on the first project is occurring in northern Menlo Park, where crews are installing 3,695 feet of new six-, eight-, and 12-inch main. Construction is expected to be completed in July. The second project is happening in central Menlo Park, where crews are installing 5,605 feet of new six-, eight-, and 12-inch water main. This project is expected to be completed by January 2027.

“These upgrades are all about improving water service reliability for our customers’ daily needs and supporting our local first responders as they work to protect our community,” said Dawn Smithson, Cal Water’s Bear Gulch District Manager. “Our proactive infrastructure improvement projects are undertaken to provide quality, service, and value to the communities we serve.”

In northern Menlo Park, work is being done Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Bay Road, from Peggy Lane to Greenwood Drive, just west of Flood Park. In central Menlo Park, work is occurring from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the following three phases with the exception of University Drive, which will require road closures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and customers will be notified.

Phase one: Along University Drive and El Camino Real, from Harvard Avenue to Partridge Avenue.

Phase two: Along University Drive, from Partridge Avenue to Creek Drive.

Phase three: Along University Drive, from Middle Avenue to Patridge Avenue.

Crews will work to minimize any disruption to traffic. Temporary asphalt will be applied until permanent paving is completed, which can be up to 30 days after project completion.

The projects are part of Cal Water’s Main Replacement Program, which focuses on proactively replacing aging infrastructure, while maximizing the existing infrastructure’s life to help prevent small, manageable issues from getting bigger and more expensive to fix.

About California Water Service

California Water Service provides high-quality, reliable water utility services to about 61,500 people through 18,500 service connections in the communities of Portola Valley, Woodside, Atherton, and portions of Menlo Park, Redwood City, and San Mateo County, and serves more than 2.1 million people statewide through 500,000 service connections. 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 1,200 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, commemorating a century of service this year, 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.

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Released June 2, 2026