California Water Service has completed water system improvement projects in two Visalia neighborhoods in an effort to enhance water supply reliability and fire protection.

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The projects included the installation of new, larger water mains and relocation of water services and fire hydrants.

           Cal Water installed 4,329 feet of new 8-inch water main, nine fire hydrants and 67 one-inch water services to residents on Wren Avenue, Gull Circle, Quail Drive, Robin Avenue, Highland Street and Conyer Street.

Additionally, 4,250 feet of 8-inch water main, nine fire hydrants, and 64 one-inch water services were installed on Sunnyview Avenue, Curtis Court, Rinaldi Street, Park Circle, Divisadero Street and Giddings Street.

For both projects, the existing 6-inch water mains were removed – some from backyards – and new water mains, domestic services, and fire hydrants were installed in front yards to improve access for the utility and avoid the need to enter customers’ backyards.

The new pipes are larger, allowing greater flow capacity, and Cal Water replaced the aging mains with PVC pipe. PVC is a sought-after material for water services because it is less costly and less porous than the materials used in the past, and generally does not rust or corrode.

“This project greatly improved the infrastructure and level of water service for this area, part of our commitment to provide our customers with quality, service, and value,” said Eric Charles, acting assistant district manager. “One of the most important community benefits is that we more than doubled the number of fire hydrants in the neighborhood, from eight to 18.”

Cal Water serves about 138,404 people through 38,251 service connections in Visalia. The company has provided water service in the area since 1926 and was ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Water Utilities in the West” in 2016 by J.D. Power in its inaugural Water Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study.