Thursday, June 25, 2026

Altadena Mutual Water Company Breaks Ground on Major Reservoir Reconstruction Project Following Eaton Fire

Rubio Cañon Land and Water Association representatives celebrated a groundbreaking of a reservoir reconstruction project Wednesday in Altadena. Pictured are: Sandi McElhenney, Board Member of the California Assn. of Mutual Water Companies; Lisa Yamashita-Lopez, General Manager of Rubio Cañon; Derek Whitfield and Janet Fahey, both Board Members of Rubio Cañon. [Courtesy photo]

$2 million insurance-funded project marks a key milestone in Altadena’s recovery and honors the water operators who helped protect the community during the devastating wildfire

Rubio Cañon Land and Water Association on Wednesday celebrated the groundbreaking of a major reservoir reconstruction project that will restore and strengthen critical water infrastructure damaged during the 2025 Eaton Fire — a significant milestone in Altadena’s continuing recovery.

Held at the Maiden Lane Reservoir, the ceremony brought together community leaders, shareholders, water industry representatives, and local officials. 

The project invests more than $2 million in insurance proceeds to rebuild the damaged reservoir, plus nearly $1 million in additional capital improvements to strengthen pipelines, valves, and related infrastructure across the system.

Maiden Lane 3 is one of the Rubio Cañon reservoirs badly damaged in the Eaton Fire. It is being rebuilt as part of the reconstruction project celebrated on Wednesday. [Courtesy photo]

The event also honored Rubio’s water operators and mutual aid personnel, who worked tirelessly during and after the fire to maintain service, protect infrastructure, and help restore the community.

Funding comes largely through insurance proceeds secured via the Joint Powers Risk and Insurance Management Authority (JPRIMA), the risk-management program of the California Association of Mutual Water Companies (CalMutuals). Rubio Cañon was a founding member that helped establish the program after traditional pooled insurance for mutual water companies became unavailable.

“CalMutuals is proud that JPRIMA is helping fund this vital reconstruction effort,” said Adán Ortega, Executive Director of CalMutuals. “The Eaton Fire demonstrated why mutual water companies must keep looking out for one another to protect the communities they serve. At a time when many small water systems cannot count on outside assistance, cooperation within the mutual water community remains more important than ever.”

Four Rubio reservoirs were damaged in the January 2025 fire, which devastated large portions of Altadena and surrounding communities. In the immediate aftermath, Rubio moved quickly to restore service and return its system to working order, helping residents return, businesses reopen, and rebuilding advance.

As a nonprofit mutual water company owned by the residents it serves, Rubio Cañon has invested for years in infrastructure, prudent financial management, and emergency preparedness — measures that positioned it to respond effectively and rebuild quickly. The Maiden Lane project is expected to strengthen reliability, improve operational flexibility, and enhance fire resiliency for the thousands of residents and businesses it serves.

Founded in 1886, Rubio Cañon is one of California’s oldest mutual water companies, serving Altadena for nearly 140 years. For additional information, visit www.rclwa.org.