Manual Transfer Switch Project

Project: Manual Transfer Switch installation and testing at three pump stations.

Pump Stations: Morro Hills, Vallecitos, and Rainbow Hills

Service Locations: Morro Hills serves the Morro Tank, Vallecitos serves Vallecitos Tank, and Rainbow Hills serves the Rainbow Hills Reservoirs. All locations are vital to ensuring customers receive safe and reliable water to their residences and businesses.

Project Background: Rainbow Water owns and operates pump stations at Morro Hills, Rainbow Hills, and Vallecitos and these locations are an integral part of water delivery to customers in their corresponding neighborhoods. During both planned and unplanned power outages, and routine maintenance operations, Rainbow Water staff must manually connect power from portable generators to each pump station’s electrical bus bar by the staff electrician. In the event of an emergency such as a fire, public safety shut off, or high wind advisory,  Rainbow Water's electrician must manually connect during the high-risk events.

To reduce risk and associated costs, staff recommended installation of a manual transfer switch at each pump station to allow any staff member to safely and easily connect to the temporary generator power. The manual transfer switches will have inputs from both the SDG&E utility breaker and the generator to ensure consistent power supply to the station.

Rainbow Water's board approved the project in 2025 to enhance safety, reliability and improve staff operations to align with the Strategic Plan's focus area on water resources.

Project Start: The timeline for the manual transfer switch installation at each of the three pump stations is estimated at first quarter 2026. 

Site Locations: 

• Morro Hills, located west of the intersection at Morro Hills Road and San Jacinto Circle East.
• Vallecitos, located off Rainbow Valley Boulevard in Fallbrook
• Rainbow Hills, located off Old Highway 395 in Fallbrook

Traffic Impact: The projects are located in remote areas and traffic should not be impacted.

More Information

For questions about the project or to report concerns please call:
Engineering Department at (760) 728-1178