California Water Service Begins Second Phase of New Well Construction to Improve Water Supply Reliability, Fire Protection in Oroville

OROVILLE, Calif.—California Water Service (Cal Water) has begun the next phase of a water infrastructure upgrade that will strengthen water supply reliability and fire protection capabilities in Oroville. This week, crews started the development and testing activities for the new 1,500-gallon-per-minute drinking water well that is being built in central Oroville to help meet peak water demands for the next 50 to 75 years.

"This important water system upgrade will help us continue to provide a reliable supply of high-quality water both for our neighbors in Oroville and for fire protection in emergencies," said Loni Lind, Oroville Local Manager. "Our infrastructure improvements are all about providing quality, service, and value to the communities we serve."

This phase of the project includes developing and testing the new well and is expected to take just over two months. Work is anticipated to be completed by the end of October. Feather River Boulevard will remain open during construction, although motorists may experience occasional reduced speeds for safety purposes. Spruce Alley will be closed adjacent to the project site but will remain accessible from the Seventh Avenue end. Cal Water will also work to minimize street parking impacts in the surrounding neighborhood.

Most onsite construction activities will occur Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.; however, a portion of the well testing requires continuous operation around the clock and may extend into a Saturday. Once testing begins, it must continue uninterrupted to verify the well's full production capacity.

"We understand this temporary activity may cause inconvenience for our nearest neighbors, and we appreciate their patience as we complete this critical infrastructure improvement," Lind said. "We're committed to being a good neighbor throughout construction and will make every effort to minimize impacts to nearby residents."

Following completion of well development and testing, a future phase of the project will include construction of distribution pipes, addition of a new pump house, and installation of fencing and landscaping. There will be a delay between phases while project planning and scheduling activities take place. Cal Water will continue providing updates to the community regarding the completion schedule, particularly when plans may affect neighboring properties.

As part of the project, Cal Water will also improve the appearance and curb appeal of the site through the installation of low-water-use landscaping, paving, and gravel to help eliminate weeds and reduce ongoing maintenance needs.

About California Water Service

California Water Service provides high-quality, reliable water utility services to about 11,100 people through 3,560 service connections in Oroville, and more than 2 million people through 500,000 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 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.

Released August 28, 2026