The Reliability Improvement Project is aimed at retrofitting, upgrading and/or replacing key equipment that is reaching the end of its natural life, addressing the areas of raw water ozone, flocculation and sedimentation. Filtration and redundant disinfection.
The work will also increase the plant’s treatment capacity from 80 million gallons of water a day to 100 million gallons a day and help the district meet increasingly stringent standards for water quality, seismic stability and safety.
October 10, 2024, Quarterly Public Meeting and Tour Information
Valley Water held its quarterly project update on October 10, 2024, at the treatment plant. The event featured an informative tour from the upper deck of the plant that highlighted the water treatment process. The meeting included a PowerPoint presentation on the construction progress of the Reliability Improvement Project and Valley Water's response to neighborhood concerns. The next quarterly public meeting at the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant is scheduled for the first quarter of 2025.
To view the October meeting on Valley Water's YouTube channel, click here.
To view the PowerPoint presentation, click here.
To view the display boards, click here.
If you would like to submit questions in advance of the upcoming public meeting, please contact Valley Water's Neighborhood Liaison Tony Mercado at 408-630-2342 or via email at [email protected]. You can also reach him via cell at 408-426-1039.
Holiday hours
No work is scheduled on Saturday, Aug. 31, Sunday, Sept. 1, or Monday, Sept. 2, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.
Take in the View
View Valley Water's latest drone video of the construction progress at the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant Reliability Improvement Project.
Pipe Welding Activities
Valley Water is preparing to install the piping for the new filters at the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant beginning this week and continuing through the rest of the summer. The work is scheduled to occur between 5:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Fridays. Crews will conduct welding activities on the large pipes that will be used to support the new filters and plan to get an early morning start, as temperatures tend to be cooler at that time. As the sun rises, temperatures inside the pipes can reach 130 degrees or higher on a hot day. Construction noise will be limited to pick-up trucks, welders and fans. Crews will make every effort to minimize noise. For questions or concerns, contact the neighborhood liaison, Tony Mercado at [email protected] or at 408-426-1039.
Saturday Work at Rinconada
Valley Water is preparing for upcoming Saturday work at the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant, beginning this Saturday, July 27, 2024, and continuing weekly throughout the rest of the summer. The work is scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., with some increased construction noise from trucks, excavators, and forklifts expected. Crews will make every effort to minimize noise. No work is planned at the lower ponds on Saturdays. For questions or concerns, contact the neighborhood liaison, Tony Mercado at [email protected] or at 408-426-1039.
Valley Water dirt removal schedule
Valley Water will remove dirt from the excavation site on Thursday, July 11, 2024 and Friday, July 12, 2024. The activities will occur each day between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Up to 15 trucks will each carry about eight tons of dirt from the lower gate of the plant up More Avenue. Water trucks will clean the streets following Friday's removal effort. More dirt activities are anticipated this month and nearby residents will be informed once details become available. For questions or concerns, contact the neighborhood liaison, Tony Mercado at [email protected] or at 408-426-1039.
June 26, 2024, Quarterly Public Meeting Information
Valley Water held its quarterly project update on June 26, 2024, at the treatment plant. The event featured an informative tour from the upper deck of the plant that highlighted the water treatment process. The meeting included a PowerPoint presentation on the construction progress of the Reliability Improvement Project and Valley Water's response to neighborhood concerns. The next quarterly public meeting at the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant is scheduled for September 2024.
To view the June meeting on Valley Water's YouTube channel, click here.
To view the PowerPoint presentation, click here.
To view the display boards, click here.
Take Flight with Us!
Come marvel at the amazing drone videos of the construction site of the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant Reliability Improvement Project. We will post new videos to the Valley Water site to showcase a unique aerial view of the project.
June 13, 2024 Water Treatment Plant Master Plan Public Meeting
During this public meeting at the Vietnamese American Service Center, Valley Water presented a comprehensive and long-term plan to update and upgrade its water treatment plants. Several potential projects have been identified for each plant in the plan, including the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant. The presentation addresses the need for and importance of having a Master Plan and an open forum for questions.
To view the meeting on Valley Water's YouTube channel, click here.
To view the presentation, click here.
Dust monitoring, sound, and vibration reports
Valley Water's dust, noise, and vibration monitoring reports are under the "Reports and Documents" tab for review. In addition, all construction activities must comply with the Town of Los Gatos' noise ordinance. Our noise level monitoring is ongoing; data for that and vibrations are available under the "Reports and Documents" tab. These reports will be consistently updated. Please note that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires backup alarms on construction vehicles and cannot be turned off.
February 29, 2024, Public Meeting Information
Thirty-five neighbors of the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant attended Valley Water’s Feb. 29 public meeting to hear about upcoming construction plans and learn about plant operations during a brief facility tour.
To view the meeting on Valley Water's YouTube channel, click here.
To view the presentation, click here.
Public meeting videos available on YouTube
Valley Water keeps a video library of its past community meetings on its YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1jDvRO4q2A
For any questions, please contact the water treatment plant's neighborhood liaison, Tony Mercado, at 408-630-2342 or via email at [email protected]
Dust Monitoring Reports
Vibration Monitoring Reports
Please Note: Vibration Monitoring Reports will be paused starting in August 2024 until Phase 5 of the Rinconada Reliability Improvement Project, when the existing filters will be demolished.
| 7/20/2024 | 7/26/2024 |
| 7/12/2024 | 7/3/2024 |
| 6/28/2024 | 6/21/2024 |
| 6/14/2024 | 6/08/2024 |
| 6/01/2024 | 5/25/2024 |
| 5/18/2024 | 5/11/2024 |
| 5/4/2024 | 4/27/2024 |
| 4/20/2024 | 4/13/2024 |
| 4/6/2024 | 3/30/2024 |
Noise Monitoring Reports
June 26, 2024: Public Meeting Presentation
February 23, 2024: Public Meeting Presentation
RWTP EIR Addendum 1: Work Schedules
The Reliability Improvement Project will replace or upgrade all major plant components and increase Rinconada’s treatment capacity to 100 million gallons of water a day. These enhancements will also result in improved taste for your drinking water. The Project includes the design and construction of new facilities, including raw water ozonation, flocculation and plate settler clarification and dual media filtration. This work will also help the district meet increasingly stringent standards for water quality, seismic stability and safety.
This completed project will use the following steps in drinking water treatment:
- Raw Water Ozone
- Flocculation and Sedimentation
- Filtration
- Redundant disinfection
The Rinconada Water Treatment Plant is Valley Water’s oldest treatment plant, having provided continuous and reliable service since 1967. While Rinconada primarily serves the west side of Santa Clara County, residents across the county contribute to the project funding through water rates.