California Water Service Begins Infrastructure Upgrades to Improve Water Supply Reliability, Fire Protection in Portola Valley and Woodside

MENLO PARK, Calif.—California Water Service (Cal Water) has started a new water infrastructure upgrade and will begin another next month to improve water supply reliability and enhance fire protection in Portola Valley and Woodside.

Crews in south Portola Valley are currently rebuilding a pump station that will also include a seismic retrofit designed to help the infrastructure withstand land movement in the event of an earthquake. Crews are working near Los Trancos Road and Oak Forest Court, just north of Los Trancos Woods, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Work is expected to be completed by early 2027.

In northeast Woodside, crews will install approximately 580 feet of new 8-inch water main on Woodside Hills, just south of Menlo Country Club, on Todo El Mundo, and from 71 to 81 Oak Haven Way. Work will be done Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and is expected to be completed by April 2027.

"The upgrades are an investment in our water system that will lead to stronger water supply and system reliability and increase support for local fire protection," said Dawn Smithson, Cal Water's Bear Gulch District Manager. "This modernization will help us continue to provide quality, service, and value to our customers for decades to come."

For the Woodside main replacement project, temporary asphalt will be applied until permanent paving is completed, approximately 30 days after project completion. Crews will make every effort to minimize traffic delays during construction in the streets and maintain access to homes in the immediate area.

Customers will be notified in advance of any temporary water service interruptions required during these projects. Both projects are part of Cal Water's proactive and ongoing commitment to responsibly invest in and maintain critical water infrastructure.

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 more than 2 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.

Released October 30, 2026