Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sheffield Water Quality Project?
The existing open-air, concrete-lined reservoir and earth-fill dam will be demolished and replaced by two 6.5-million gallon buried reservoirs. The property will be re-graded into a natural open space with rolling terrain and pathways for walking and passive recreation. There will be no restrooms, picnic tables, organized sports or other intensive activities. Lighting will be limited to emergency situations. - A small parking lot will be built near the Filtration Building for visitors and maintenance vehicles. It will be in the same general location and of approximately the same size as the existing parking lot by the Filtration Building at the corner of Mountain Drive and Mission Ridge Road.
- A small control building will be built in the same general area as the existing pump station.
- A service road will be surfaced with natural-appearing material.
- New trails will be added parallel to Mission Ridge Road and within the open space.
- Most of the exiting concrete channels will be redesigned as a natural-appearing drainage course with nearby walkways.
- A fence will be constructed along the joint property line between the site and private properties to the north.
- Temporary aboveground water storage tanks will be used to allow uninterrupted water service while the buried reservoirs and open space are constructed.
Back to Questions What will happen to existing facilities on the site not associated with the reservoir?
The existing Firescape Garden will remain and be incorporated into the open space design. The Canine Training Facility will be temporarily relocated off-site during construction. Later, it will return to the site at about the same location, size and intensity of use as currently exists. Back to Questions Why is this water quality project necessary?
Sheffield is an open-air reservoir. Drinking water stored in it is exposed to dust, wind blown contaminants, birds, animals, and anything thrown into it. Adding enough chlorine to meet water quality standards forms potentially harmful byproducts. Open-air reservoirs no longer meet state and federal health standards. After extensive study of possible solutions and considerable public input, the project was approved with two buried reservoirs that will consistently meet water quality standards now and in the foreseeable future. Back to Questions How much will the water quality project cost, and where is the money coming from?
The Sheffield project is estimated to cost over $20 million. It will be financed with a low-interest rate state loan and repaid through water rates paid by all City residents. Water rates will not need to increase to cover the cost of the project. Back to Questions When will the project be completed?
Temporary tanks will be installed beginning in mid-2002. Actual construction of the permanent facility will start in late 2003. The project is scheduled to be completed in late 2005. Back to Questions Who should I contact if I have a question or concern about the construction activity?
A Neighborhood Construction Liaison (NCL) will be available during all construction activities. The City has designated Mr. Bob Sedivy, Supervising Civil Engineer, as the NCL, to work with the contractor and neighbors to resolve issues as quickly and efficiently as possible. Bob can be reached at (805) 680-2488. Back to Questions What is the Ad Hoc Committee? What issues did it consider?
The Ad Hoc Committee is a broad-based committee appointed by the Planning Commission to refine the details of the open space. The Committee consists of representatives from five different City commissions and neighboring homeowner's associations. The Committee is working with an architect, landscape architects, civil engineers and City staff to help design the open space to meet neighborhood and community interests and the approved project's objectives. Issues they examined included: - How the historic Filtration Building might fit into the plan.
- Features for neighborhood and on-site security.
- Fire-resistant landscaping features and a staging area for firefighters.
- Design that allows only passive activities.
Back to Questions When was Sheffield Reservoir built, and what is its history?
The reservoir was first built in 1917, damaged by a major earthquake in 1925, and rebuilt and expanded in 1936. Link to Sheffield Reservoir History page. Back to Questions How will residents in the area of Sheffield Reservoir be kept informed about the project?
There will be periodic bulletins issued to residents. This website will also be updated periodically, and residents may call the Neighborhood Construction Liaison at (805) 680-2488 for more information. Back to Questions Can residents call with questions or complaints?
Yes. A Neighborhood Construction Liaison will be on-site and assigned to the project specifically to work with neighbors, City staff, the design team and the contractor to resolve problems, answer questions, and address concerns associated with the construction. You can contact him at (805) 680-2488. Back to Questions How can the public comment further on the project?
While most public input was concluded in late 2002, the public may comment at any time by contacting the project's Neighborhood Construction Liaison at (805) 680-2488. Back to Questions What is the City doing to minimize construction impacts on the neighborhood?
The Sheffield project team is working to minimize disturbance and inconvenience to neighbors during the upcoming construction phase. Here are some examples of the construction control measures we are taking: - Work Hour Limits. General work hours will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding City holidays.
- Truck Restrictions. Operation of trucks off-site will be limited to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. so as not to impact rush hour traffic.
- Noise Control. Hours of construction will be limited as stated above. In addition, mufflers will be required on construction equipment, no unnecessary idling of equipment will be permitted, stockpiles will be located to minimize impacts to neighbors, sound signals will be used only as necessary for safety, no public address or other sound systems will be allowed, and a noise awareness program will be implemented by the contractor.
- Street and Street-Frontage Restoration. Streets and adjacent frontage improvements along nearby truck routes to the site will be videotaped before construction, and will be fully restored to their original condition.
- Dirt and Dust Control. The contractor will be required to implement dirt and dust control measures beyond those required by the Air Pollution Control District.
- Prior Notice. Notice will be given to nearby neighbors prior to major phases of construction, e.g., demolition of reservoir, site grading, etc.
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