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    The tide gate structure has been seismically retrofitted and rehabilitated, featuring deeper foundations to withstand extreme seismic events, new barrier fencing, and a newly resurfaced top.
    The tide gate structure has been seismically retrofitted and rehabilitated, featuring deeper foundations to withstand extreme seismic events, new barrier fencing, and a newly resurfaced top.
    May 5, 2026
    Palo Alto Tide Gate Project Reaches Key Milestone

    Valley Water has reached a major milestone in extending the life of an important flood protection system in Palo Alto. In February 2026, the agency completed Phase 1 of the Palo Alto Flood Basin Tide Gate Structure Seismic Retrofit and Rehabilitation Project. 

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    April 28, 2026
    Bring Your Dream Yard to Life This Spring!

    Spring is here, and it’s the perfect time to refresh your outdoor space. Imagine stepping outside to a yard that’s not only beautiful but also sustainable, a space filled with vibrant plants, smart irrigation, and features that save water and money. With Valley Water’s rebate programs, that dream yard is closer than you think!

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    A view of the tunnel entrance on the right, and the diversion outlet structure. The staged, 13-foot diameter pipe will be placed inside the tunnel and will connect to the diversion outlet structure. April 2026.
    A view of the tunnel entrance on the right, and the diversion outlet structure. The staged, 13-foot diameter pipe will be placed inside the tunnel and will connect to the diversion outlet structure. April 2026.
    April 27, 2026
    Anderson Dam Tunnel Project on track for completion in 2026

    The Anderson Dam Tunnel Project is entering its final stages, with Valley Water contractors completing key milestones such as the final concrete work inside the tunnel and installation of critical components. The project remains on track for completion in 2026.

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  3. Rinconada Water Treatment Plant Reliability Improvement

Rinconada Water Treatment Plant Reliability Improvement

Image
Future site rendering
Location
Los Gatos
Status
Phase 3-6
Schedule
All phases targeted for completion by Late 2029
Current Stage
Foundation prep and pour for new filters

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 21, 2025 Public Meeting and Tour


On October 21, 2025, Valley Water hosted the biannual community meeting about the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant Reliability Improvement Project Phases 3-6, to provide the latest status update on the project and share responses to neighborhood concerns received to date. 

Before the hybrid public event began, interested participants who signed up earlier were given a brief tour of the construction project, which was held from the upper deck of the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant.
Director Jim Beall, Director Shiloh Ballard and Director Rebecca Eisenberg attended the meeting in person, along with City of Saratoga Mayor Belal Aftab and City of Saratoga Councilmember Kookie Fitzsimmons. Fifteen community members attended in person and five people joined online via Zoom. The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session.

To view the October meeting on Valley Water's YouTube channel, click here. 

To view the PowerPoint presentation, click here.

 Water Treatment Plants Behind The Scenes: Rinconada

As part of a new video series, Valley Water takes you behind the walls of its longest-running water treatment plant for a glimpse at the current construction progress and a chance to meet some of the key contributors to the success of the Rinconada Reliability Improvement Project.

Meet Andy Trinh, Associate Civil Engineer of the Large Construction Projects Unit. 

Rinconada Reliability Improvement Project Summer 2025 Construction Update

In July 2025, Valley Water mailed out the latest edition of the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant Construction Newsletter: An update on the Reliability Improvement Project Phases 3-6. 

To view and download a copy of the newsletter, click here.

First Quarterly Public Meeting of 2025 and Tour 

On March 26, 2025, Valley Water hosted the quarterly community meeting about the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant Reliability Improvement Project Phases 3-6, to provide the latest status update on the project and share responses to neighborhood concerns received to date.

Before the hybrid public event began, interested participants who signed up earlier were given a brief tour of the construction project, which was held from the upper deck of the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant.

Vice Chair Richard Santos and Director Nai Hsueh attended the meeting, along with 15 community members and two people who joined online via Zoom. The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session.

To view the October meeting on Valley Water's YouTube channel, click here. 

To view the PowerPoint presentation, click here.

To view the meeting agenda, click here. 

Rinconada Public Meeting Tour Photo
The Rinconada Water Treatment Plant tour was led by Sam Bogale, Valley Water's Deputy Operating Officer of Treated Water and Aaron Baker, Chief Operation Officer of Water Utility. 

Work Saturday at Rinconada (2025)

As needed, Valley Water's contractor will occasionally work at the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant on Saturdays. The work is scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and may involve pickup truck activities and smaller construction equipment, which may cause increased noise. Crews will make every effort to minimize noise.

October 10, 2024, Quarterly Public Meeting and Tour Information

Valley Water held a quarterly project update and tour on October 10, 2024. A presentation on the construction progress was given along with Valley Water's response to neighborhood concerns. 

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. 

Rinconada Water Treatment Plant tour led by Sam Bogale, Valley Water’s Deputy Operating Officer of Treated Water
The Rinconada Water Treatment Plant tour was led by Sam Bogale, Valley Water's Deputy Operating Officer of Treated Water.

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.

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. 

Rinconada Water Treatment Plant tour led by Sam Bogale, Valley Water’s Deputy Operating Officer of Treated Water
The Rinconada Water Treatment Plant tour was led by Sam Bogale, Valley Water's Deputy Operating Officer of Treated Water.

 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.

Nai Hsueh, explains the importance of the Water Treatment Plant Master Plan Implementation Projec
Valley Water Board Chair, The Honorable Nai Hsueh, explains the importance of the Water Treatment Plant Master Plan Implementation Project.

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.

Deputy Operating Officer Sam Bogale speaks to Rinconada neighbors about the clarifiers and how their upcoming demolition will benefit the treatment plant.
Deputy Operating Officer Sam Bogale speaks to Rinconada neighbors about the clarifiers and how their upcoming demolition will benefit the treatment plant.

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.

Contact information
Neighborhood Liaison Aimee Green during regular business hours at (408) 630-2342 or by email at [email protected]. 

If an urgent problem arises after regular business hours, please call the on-duty plant supervisor at (408) 265-2607, ext. 2121.
Valley Water is committed to providing a healthy, clean, reliable and affordable water supply that meets or exceeds all applicable water quality regulatory standards in a cost-effective manner.

October 21, 2025 Public Meeting and Tour


On October 21, 2025, Valley Water hosted the biannual community meeting about the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant Reliability Improvement Project Phases 3-6, to provide the latest status update on the project and share responses to neighborhood concerns received to date. 

Before the hybrid public event began, interested participants who signed up earlier were given a brief tour of the construction project, which was held from the upper deck of the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant.
Director Jim Beall, Director Shiloh Ballard and Director Rebecca Eisenberg attended the meeting in person, along with City of Saratoga Mayor Belal Aftab and City of Saratoga Councilmember Kookie Fitzsimmons. Fifteen community members attended in person and five people joined online via Zoom. The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session.

To view the October meeting on Valley Water's YouTube channel, click here. 

To view the PowerPoint presentation, click here.

 Water Treatment Plants Behind The Scenes: Rinconada

As part of a new video series, Valley Water takes you behind the walls of its longest-running water treatment plant for a glimpse at the current construction progress and a chance to meet some of the key contributors to the success of the Rinconada Reliability Improvement Project.

Meet Andy Trinh, Associate Civil Engineer of the Large Construction Projects Unit. 

Rinconada Reliability Improvement Project Summer 2025 Construction Update

In July 2025, Valley Water mailed out the latest edition of the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant Construction Newsletter: An update on the Reliability Improvement Project Phases 3-6. 

To view and download a copy of the newsletter, click here.

First Quarterly Public Meeting of 2025 and Tour 

On March 26, 2025, Valley Water hosted the quarterly community meeting about the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant Reliability Improvement Project Phases 3-6, to provide the latest status update on the project and share responses to neighborhood concerns received to date.

Before the hybrid public event began, interested participants who signed up earlier were given a brief tour of the construction project, which was held from the upper deck of the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant.

Vice Chair Richard Santos and Director Nai Hsueh attended the meeting, along with 15 community members and two people who joined online via Zoom. The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session.

To view the October meeting on Valley Water's YouTube channel, click here. 

To view the PowerPoint presentation, click here.

To view the meeting agenda, click here. 

Rinconada Public Meeting Tour Photo
The Rinconada Water Treatment Plant tour was led by Sam Bogale, Valley Water's Deputy Operating Officer of Treated Water and Aaron Baker, Chief Operation Officer of Water Utility. 

Work Saturday at Rinconada (2025)

As needed, Valley Water's contractor will occasionally work at the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant on Saturdays. The work is scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and may involve pickup truck activities and smaller construction equipment, which may cause increased noise. Crews will make every effort to minimize noise.

October 10, 2024, Quarterly Public Meeting and Tour Information

Valley Water held a quarterly project update and tour on October 10, 2024. A presentation on the construction progress was given along with Valley Water's response to neighborhood concerns. 

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. 

Rinconada Water Treatment Plant tour led by Sam Bogale, Valley Water’s Deputy Operating Officer of Treated Water
The Rinconada Water Treatment Plant tour was led by Sam Bogale, Valley Water's Deputy Operating Officer of Treated Water.

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.

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. 

Rinconada Water Treatment Plant tour led by Sam Bogale, Valley Water’s Deputy Operating Officer of Treated Water
The Rinconada Water Treatment Plant tour was led by Sam Bogale, Valley Water's Deputy Operating Officer of Treated Water.

 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.

Nai Hsueh, explains the importance of the Water Treatment Plant Master Plan Implementation Projec
Valley Water Board Chair, The Honorable Nai Hsueh, explains the importance of the Water Treatment Plant Master Plan Implementation Project.

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.

Deputy Operating Officer Sam Bogale speaks to Rinconada neighbors about the clarifiers and how their upcoming demolition will benefit the treatment plant.
Deputy Operating Officer Sam Bogale speaks to Rinconada neighbors about the clarifiers and how their upcoming demolition will benefit the treatment plant.

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.

Contact information
Neighborhood Liaison Aimee Green during regular business hours at (408) 630-2342 or by email at [email protected]. 

If an urgent problem arises after regular business hours, please call the on-duty plant supervisor at (408) 265-2607, ext. 2121.
Valley Water is committed to providing a healthy, clean, reliable and affordable water supply that meets or exceeds all applicable water quality regulatory standards in a cost-effective manner.

Reports 

  • Dust Monitoring Reports
  • Noise Monitoring Reports
  • Vibration Monitoring Reports 

Other Documents

  • October 21, 2025: Public Meeting Presentation
  • June 26, 2024: Public Meeting Presentation
  • Smith Creek Q&A
  • February 23, 2024: Public Meeting Presentation
  • Rinconada Water Treatment Plant Reliability Improvement Project Environmental Impact Report
    January 2015
  • RWTP EIR Addendum 1: Work Schedules
  • RWTP EIR Addendum 2: Trucking hours
  • RWTP EIR Addendum 4

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
Aerial photo of Rinconada Water Treatment Plant

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.

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