Santa Cruz Water Department Completes Graham Hill Road Pipeline Work by City of Santa Cruz Oct 21, 2026 Member Submitted News Following increasingly frequent pipeline failures caused by climate change-driven storms, the Santa Cruz Water Department announced today it has completed the relocation of 3.7 miles of the Newell Creek Pipeline out of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park to underneath Graham Hill Road to ensure continued reliability of the critical water supply pipeline. Construction, which began in Spring 2025, wrapped up three months early and ahead of the anticipated El Niño winter, which is expected to bring heavy rains and other weather extremes that threaten infrastructure. “This project, funded by our ratepayers, is critically important in our ongoing effort to protect the water system against the growing effects of climate change,” said Heidi Luckenbach, director of the Santa Cruz Water Department. “Locating the Newell Creek Pipeline underneath Graham Hill Rd. eliminates vulnerabilities that have been a major challenge in the previous location in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. We are especially thankful to Graham Hill Road commuters, local businesses and residents who have been so patient with this important project.” The Newell Creek Pipeline transports water between the City of Santa Cruz’s Loch Lomond Reservoir and the Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant, meeting roughly 10% of the city’s annual water needs. The new 24-inch diameter pipe under Graham Hill Road helps to avoid environmentally sensitive areas and geologic hazards. This project is part of Climate Resilient Santa Cruz, an ongoing initiative of the City of Santa Cruz that aims to respond to anticipated future impacts from climate change. The old 18- to 27-inch diameter pipeline, which was constructed in 1960, and traveled in part through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park as part of a long-term easement with California State Parks. But the original pipeline was prone to storm-related damage. Failures had increased in recent years due to the growing intensity of winter storms, an impact of climate change, as well as the age of the infrastructure. Two pipeline failures occurred during the summer of 2026. The relocated Newell Creek Pipeline increases system resilience, improves emergency preparedness, and ensures the availability of reliable, safe drinking water for customers. This $29 million project was funded through water rate revenues collected from Santa Cruz Water Department customers. Funding for this project also was provided in part by the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund through an agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board. California’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund is capitalized through a variety of funding sources, including grants from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and state bond proceeds. About the Santa Cruz Water Department The Santa Cruz Water Department serves water to approximately 98,000 customers, processes 7 million gallons of water per day on average, manages 4,000 acres of watershed lands, oversees 300 miles of distribution lines, runs a state-certified water quality laboratory, and provides summertime recreation activities at the Loch Lomond Reservoir and Recreation Area.
