Contra Costa Water District Finalizes $8.4 Million Pumping Facility Overhaul at Mallard Slough

The Contra Costa Water District Board of Directors announced the successful completion of an $8.4 million mechanical and electrical modernization project at its Mallard Slough pump station facility on Wednesday. Meeting at district headquarters on Concord Avenue in Concord, utility board members and chief water treatment engineers dedicated the upgraded facility, which extracts and processes raw surface water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to supply drinking water to more than 500,000 customers across central and eastern Contra Costa County.

The multi-year capital overhaul replaced decades-old high-voltage electrical transformers, installed variable frequency drive pumps, and integrated state-of-the-art positive barrier fish screens certified by state and federal wildlife agencies. Water district engineers noted that the automated intake screens prevent delicate native fish species, including delta smelt and juvenile salmon, from being entrained in municipal intake conduits while maintaining reliable pumping volumes for regional storage reservoirs in Concord and Martinez.

District financial administrators highlighted that the newly installed high-efficiency variable-speed pump motors will reduce annual facility electricity consumption by roughly eighteen percent, saving thousands of dollars in operating overhead and supporting the district's carbon reduction targets. Board trustees reaffirmed the district's commitment to maintaining aging regional water infrastructure without placing excessive rate burdens on working families across the county.

Ratepayers, water engineering researchers, and community members can review the comprehensive facility engineering reports, water quality monitoring data, and district capital improvement schedules online at ccwater.com. Inquiries regarding municipal water service, conservation rebate programs, and board proceedings may be directed to the Contra Costa Water District Communications Division at (925) 688-8000 Monday through Friday.