Santa Fe Irrigation District begins design of Larrick Reservoir upgrades

The Santa Fe Irrigation District is moving forward with improvements at Larrick Reservoir in Solana Beach, the six-million-gallon concrete tank in Solana Beach that provides water service to 95% of the district’s customers living west of Interstate-5.

The tank, which sits between Glenmont Drive and East Cliff Street, was built in 1965 and this will be the tank’s first-ever renovation in its 60-year history. The project is estimated to cost the district $13,350,000, including a seismic retrofit, roof repair, site drainage improvements and a new driveway access road.

“It is a big spend, but it’s going to be a benefit for the next five decades,” said Manager Al Lau at the board’s Oct. 15 meeting, where they approved a $118,587 agreement with Dudek to begin the design work.

The district also owns a rental house on Glenmont Drive that they will begin the process of selling in order to help finance the cost of their corporate yard and administrative office needs.

Per the estimated timeline, the design will be finalized next year with construction beginning fall 2026 for completion in 2028. During this time, the district will engage the community to facilitate dialogue on the construction timeline, aesthetics, environmental review, and community concerns.

According to Marisa Potter, SFID director of engineering, all of the work on the reservoir and pump station will be isolated to the SFID parcel and not disrupt the city’s plans for a proposed half-acre Glenmont  Neighborhood Pocket Park. Santa Fe Irrigation will work with the city on how best to incorporate the design of the small park— preliminary conceptual designs call for a passive open space park with a walking trail, drought-tolerant landscaping, pollinator garden areas, seating spots and public art. The city will manage the public input on the pocket park as the lead agency for the design, review and final construction.

Due to limits on water districts by the California Constitution under Proposition 218, SFID cannot provide funding for the development and construction of the pocket park, but it does plan to work with the city to develop an agreement on the use of the land as a neighborhood benefit.

“The board and the district are committed to being good neighbors not only during construction, but as our facilities continue to live in perpetuity in the community, ” said SFID board President Michael Hogan in a news release. “As we embark on the first phase of this project, we look forward to engaging the community to learn more about their concerns, while keeping them informed about the importance of the water operations of this facility. Our customers are our number one priority, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to them.”

SFID was on the agenda at the Solana Beach City Council’s Nov. 5 meeting, and during public comment Larrick Reservoir neighbors expressed their disappointment that there weren’t more details provided about what the project was really going to look like.

Initially, there were plans to replace the tank’s roof, which neighbors have called unsightly—it dips in some places where puddles form and it can grow moldy. According to Potter, to replace the roof would cost an additional $2 million to $3 million. Instead of being replaced, the roof will be retrofitted— reinforced from the inside and then re-coated on the outside.

“It’s an eyesore in our neighborhood and I think we’re all disappointed to hear it’s not going to be replaced,” remarked Solana Beach Mayor Lisa Heebner of the roof.

Several residents wanted to share input on the overall appearance of the tank in the middle of their neighborhood.

Melissa Seipel, who has lived on East Cliff Street with her husband for the last 10 years, said when they bought their home they purposefully built their deck and fence to avoid views of the water tank.

“It’s currently very stark and industrial looking. It looks a little prison-like with the barbed wire fencing,” Seipel said, adding that she understands that security for the water supply is important. “We deeply value Solana Beach’s beauty and character and we’d love to see the site reflect the same beauty.”

Seipel suggested a soft matte green color for the roof or an artistic facade for the tank, a sentiment shared by Cindi Clemons, a member of the SeaWeeders Garden Club, which promotes the sustainable beautification of the city. The SeaWeeders have envisioned murals for the water tank like those recently painted by local artist Kevin Anderson inside the Solana Beach Post Office. Neighbors would also like to see the stark security fencing softened by native plantings or a greenbelt.

“There are a few California cities that are already reimagining their water infrastructure in creative ways,” said Seipel, offering examples of murals and civic art on tanks in cities like Davis and El Segundo. “These projects show that infrastructure can serve practical needs and also reflect our community values…Solana Beach can demonstrate how function, sustainability and beauty can coexist.”

In her comments, City Councilmember Jewel Edson said she’s seen tanks that look nice not because of a mural but because of the selected color and its ability to blend with the surroundings, “Hopefully we can do something to improve it.”

Potter said the SFID board has the discretion to consider options for the tank’s exterior and is always open to listening to resident input. As the design process continues, the district will provide updates to customers and the city. A community forum will be held at the beginning of 2026, and a notice will be sent to surrounding residents. Additional information will also be posted on the SFID website at sfidwater.org