Investing in Reliable Water Infrastructure

Providing safe, reliable drinking water requires strong, well-maintained infrastructure—especially in areas like the Santa Maria Customer Service Area, where access to new water supplies is limited. At Golden State Water Company, we are dedicated to responsibly maintaining and upgrading the local facilities that support your water service, so you never have to think twice about its quality or reliability. 

Through proactive investments in water storage, supply and delivery systems, we are strengthening long-term reliability while creating sustainable value for the communities we serve. These proactive improvements help prevent the costly and potentially disruptive effects of aging infrastructure, improve fire protection and ensure a resilient water system for decades to come. 

Below are two key projects that highlight this commitment in the Santa Maria area:

Kelt Reservoir and Pipeline Project – (Orcutt Water System) 

To meet growing demand and strengthen fire suppression capabilities, we are constructing a new 1-million-gallon above-ground steel water tank and installing approximately 6,700 linear feet of 24-inch ductile-iron pipeline. 

These improvements will increase water storage capacity for the Orcutt and Patterson pressure zones within the Orcutt water system. Once completed, the new reservoir will allow both zones to deliver water to customers using gravity from the tank’s elevated position — improving efficiency, reliability and operational flexibility. 

Completed in February 2026, the project provides enhanced reliability during periods of high demand and strengthens fire flow capabilities for the community. 

El Campo Reservoir Replacement Project – (Cypress Ridge Water System) 

The El Campo Reservoir Replacement Project modernized critical infrastructure serving the Cypress Ridge water system. The project replaced two aging 200,000-gallon welded steel storage tanks that supply a booster station at the El Campo plant site. 

Both tanks were rebuilt with new structural foundations to improve long-term safety, durability and performance. The first tank was completed in June 2024, and the full project was completed in February 2025. 

Since completion, the Cypress Ridge system has experienced improved water efficiency, increased operational capacity and enhanced reliability — particularly during peak demand periods and emergency situations.