Desert Water awards $565,000 Palm Springs reservoir recoating contract
Desert Water Agency, California · Meeting date: November 3, 2026 · Published: November 4, 2026
Desert Water Agency’s board unanimously approved a contract for exterior maintenance of the Palm Springs East 2 Reservoir No. 23. The agency has budgeted $650,000 for the work, with the total project cost estimated at $645,000 including inspection and A&E.
Key points
- The board approved the $565,000 award to J. Cullen Coatings Inc. by a 4-0 vote.
- The work covers recoating the reservoir’s exterior surface; staff said the asset is located south of the Rimrock area.
- The reservoir had been included in an earlier contract but was removed because funds were not available; it was returned for award after being rebudgeted.
- Desert Water currently plans reservoir recoating rehabilitation on an approximately 20-year cycle, subject to condition evaluations.
Full report
Desert Water Agency has approved a $565,000 contract for exterior recoating of Palm Springs East 2 Reservoir No. 23, bringing back a maintenance project that was previously dropped because of insufficient funding.
The board voted 4-0 on 3 November to award the 2026-2027 potable water reservoir maintenance contract to J. Cullen Coatings Inc. The agency received one bid for the work on 13 October.
The approved 2026-2027 budget includes $650,000 for the reservoir coating rehabilitation. Staff estimated the total project cost at $645,000 once the coating work, inspection and A&E are included.
The project is limited to the exterior surface of the reservoir. Staff said the tank was last coated more than 20 years ago, although the specific date would need to be checked. The agency currently includes reservoir recoating in its long-term capital planning on a roughly 20-year schedule, with condition evaluations to be undertaken as assets approach their planned maintenance dates.
Staff said changes in coating requirements and formulations have affected expected performance. The current exterior coating formulation is intended not to fade as easily, while interior coatings face different conditions because they are in contact with drinking water.
J. Cullen Coatings was described as a capable contractor with 30 years of coating experience, a current Class C-33 contractor licence, and recent experience completing the agency’s most recent reservoir coating project. Legal review will take place when the contract is executed.
The agency said the work supports its strategic objective of maintaining the distribution-system infrastructure needed to continue serving retail water customers effectively.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: Board of Directors Regular Meeting, Desert Water Agency