What We Learned on the Central-Wheeler Tank Tour . . and Then Some
- Susan Heavilin
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
The Sweetwater Authority had a special meeting yesterday, ending with a tour of the in-progress Central-Wheeler Tank. The public was invited.
Karen Henry, a local resident and professional engineer in Water, arrived first. She was denied access because everyone had to have a hard hat and safety vest to enter the site. She went home and got her own.
I arrived next and was told by Construction Manager Brandon Wilson—of Canyon Springs Construction—that I could not tour or enter the site without proper safety attire. Fair enough. I would just stand outside the fencing and witness. Then I was asked how I knew about the tour. I showed them the 06.11.26 Sweetwater Authority agenda and pointed out where it said the public was invited. They called SWA and confirmed.
Not too long after that, Engineering Manager Alejandro Garcia showed up with an entire box of hard hats and safety vests. We all got to tour! So many people showed up that we were divided into two tours, handing over our safety gear to the second tour when we were finished.
Photos by SCS | Click on images to enlarge
The Central-Wheeler Tank (CWT) is currently under construction within Sweetwater Reservoir property, approximately 1,260 feet northwest of the intersection of San Miguel Road and Summit Meadow Road. It will hold 800,000 gallons of water. It is not yet operational but is expected to be by approximately October of 2026.
These photos were taken in March and April of 2026 by Karen Henry, PE | Click on images to enlarge
It will serve the Wheeler pressure zone and an area along San Miguel Road. That low pressure area is currently a "gravity zone" floating off of the hydraulic grade line of Perdue Water Treatment Plant Clearwell. Clearwell is a large storage tank for treated water at the plant.
The gravity system is currently providing approximately 45 PSI (pounds per square inch) to the homes in the Wheeler pressure zone, but many homeowners have reported much lower PSIs. Once the new tank is operational, the area will increase up to 135 PSI depending on the elevation of each home.
Porthole, access ladder and inside view | Photos by SCS | Click on images to enlarge
The higher elevation of the new tank will give residents in that area higher water pressures. Sweetwater Authority has hired a contractor to install a pressure reducer on all affected homes.
The current requirement to satisfy maximum day and fire protection water demands in the Wheeler Pressure Zone is 0.60 million gallons per day (MGD) and the projected demand is 0.84 MGD by 2040. The existing Wheeler Tank has an operating storage capacity of 0.36 MG, but operates at a reduced capacity of 0.25 MG since the tank does not meet structural stability requirements for seismic activity.
"The IS/MND describes potentially significant impacts to biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, hydrology and water quality, noise, recreation and tribal cultural resources. Mitigation measures have been defined to reduce impacts to less than significant levels."—Mitigated Negative Declaration
Karen Henry catches up with SWA Director Elizabeth Cox | Mike Clowers chats with Construction Manager Brandon Wilson | Photos by SCS | Click on images to enlarge
According to the 2020 Water Distribution System Master Plan, Storage Facilities Water storage facilities serve two primary needs:
• Operational storage for daily use
• Fire protection storage
The Authority operates and maintains 21 active potable water storage facilities. The total existing storage capacity for the water distribution system is 43.5 MG. Tank water levels are recorded throughout the day using a SCADA control system.
The Master Plan states that the Authority currently operates and maintains 21 pumps stations (PS), including four hydro pump stations. Total pump capacity is calculated assuming the largest pump out of service. For stations with more than two pumps, total capacity is 0.8 times the sum of individual pumps with the largest pump out of service.
Most of these images may be found in the Master Plan linked below. The final image is of the project signage. | Click on images to enlarge.
The 2020 Water Distribution System Master Plan is a 213-page document and a fascinating read if you'd like to learn more about the Sweetwater Authority distribution system. These plans are updated every five years, with this one dated December 29, 2021.
The current "Wheeler Tank" will be demolished after the Central Wheeler Tank is in use. The original Wheeler Tank is tall and narrow and could be knocked down with a big quake. It was not engineered for resistance and would most likely not survive seismic waves. The Wheeler Tank was constructed in 1952 and may be found on the east side of Tim Street, between La Cresta Way and Timrick Lane.
I was told today at the tour that the tank was named after the developer who built in that area and he paid for the tank. Could it be Albert G. Wheeler? He is mentioned in the Agents of Architecture story on the Mary Gordon Volkmann House, located south of Rohr Park.`
"Albert G. Wheeler (Historical Significance): Bonita and Chula Vista history frequently references this original real estate developer. In the early 20th century, he was a key financier who planted hundreds of Acacia trees in the area, leading to the naming of local streets like Acacia Avenue."—Google
Funny coincidence . . . future research tells me that Wheeler Tank Mfg. was founded in 1946 and builds tanks, though maybe or maybe not of that size.
Signage and location (look for blue balloon) of Central-Wheeler Tank Project | Top photo taken by Karen Henry, bottom photo from Google | Click on images to enlarge
The budget for this project was $6,146,000 and expenditures were $2,421.932. The Central Wheeler Tank will improve water pressure reliability for 187 parcels, including one elementary school and one park in the area. It will allow for the ability to meet existing and projected fire flow and maximum day demands.
Any questions about this project may be directed to Alejandro Garcia, Engineering Manager/Infrastructure and Inspection. Mr. Garcia may be reached at 619.409.6752 or agarcia@sweetwater.org.
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