Whittier City Council estimated that the cost for the city’s water pump replacement and start bidding at approximately $15.3 million. The city’s water division serves nearly 48,000 customers and is in need of a replacement for their 1930s constructed system, which is too outdated for pump repair.

The new project is to include a 6,400-square-foot pump station that is capable of converting from electric motor to natural gas engines. The new plant will produce 18.9 million gallons per day (17,500 gallons per minute), replacing Pumping Station No. 2.

The facility will also include 2.2 million gallon reservoirs to serve as operational storage. The energy efficiency of this plant is capable of allowing the Whittier Utility Authority, a branch from the City of Whittier, to operate the water system during off-peak hours and reduce power costs.

Construction could take approximately 18 months and could start as early as January 2014.