An unusual looking building recently went vertical off of Avalon Road in Hickory Nut Village. The parcel of land it sits on is south of Seidel Road and alongside the Braxton Waterleigh apartment complex. The large round structure, which residents have begun asking questions about, is a water storage tank that’s part of a larger project.

Orange County Utilities Section Manager Debbie Sponsler explained, “The Southwest Service Area Potable Water Storage and Repump Facility is on a 4.5 acre site and includes a 3.5 million gallon potable (drinking) water storage tank, 5,000 gallon-per-minute high-service repumping station, variable speed drives, emergency power generator, fuel storage tank, and electrical systems and controls.”

This project is being built to ensure the infrastructure is in place to provide water to new developments in the southwest service area during periods of peak water volume, such as fire flow demand, and to boost water pressure when needed. The anticipated completion time is May 2023. Orange County Utilities says there will not be any impact to residents during or after construction. 

According to submitted plans, the 120-foot diameter tank will be painted in a muted, neutral color called “Carved Ivory.” Landscaping is likely to be added, but Orange County Utilities did not yet respond to a request for the landscaping plan details.

On the same property, the County is also constructing a master pump station with six pumps (4,500 gallons per minute capacity), odor control, electrical building, force mains and a retaining wall. This pump station will be operational in March 2024 and will send wastewater from the area to the new Hamlin Water Reclamation Facility, which is scheduled to start up by the end of 2022.