Poway’s New Clearwell Tanks Enter Service as Lake Poway Ballfield Restoration Begins

POWAY, Calif. — Poway’s new treated-water clearwell system entered service in early July 2026 after required water-quality testing and state drinking-water authorization, according to a July 10 city update.

The milestone put the temporary bypass system on standby. On July 6, contractors began dismantling the temporary storage tanks that have occupied the softball field at Lake Poway for nearly five years.

Field restoration is the next milestone

The Lake Poway softball field has been unavailable during the water-infrastructure work. The City of Poway says restoring the field is the next significant milestone after the temporary tanks are removed and related site work is completed.

The city has not provided a confirmed reopening date. The field should not be considered open yet; the city’s project page says it will be restored to its original condition after the clearwell replacement is complete and the temporary tanks are removed.

What entered service

The new system replaces a clearwell built in 1964 at Poway’s water treatment plant. The city’s Water Infrastructure Program says the replacement consists of two 4-million-gallon prestressed concrete tanks.

The two-tank design gives operators more flexibility during maintenance and repairs. One tank can be taken offline while the other continues providing treated-water storage and service. The city says the broader program is intended to improve reliability, redundancy and operational flexibility for Poway water customers.

Public Works Director Eric Heidemann announced the commissioning at the July 7 Poway City Council meeting. The city’s July update said the tanks began storing treated water in early July and were working as designed, while the temporary bypass remained available if needed.

Another water phase remains ahead

The clearwell replacement is one part of Poway’s larger water-infrastructure program. A separate treated-water connection and redundant-pipeline project is planned along or near Espola Road and Lake Poway Road.

A California environmental record identifies the City of Poway as the lead agency for that proposed phase. The record describes a transmission pipeline, associated vaults, a booster pump station, a forebay tank and other facilities. The city’s project page lists construction as tentatively starting in 2027.

That future project is intended to provide Poway with its first treated-water connection and a redundant treated-water delivery pipeline. It is planned work, not a completed or currently operating part of the new clearwell system.

For Lake Poway users, the immediate change is the removal of the temporary tanks from the softball field. The city expects restoration to follow, but the timing of the field’s return has not been announced.

Sources

• City of Poway: Water Infrastructure Program
• California CEQA: City of Poway Treated Water Facilities & Redundant Pipeline Project