Monday, 25 January 2010 17:00

AWA to “Brainstorm” on Gravity Supply Line Alternatives

slide4-awa__to_brainstorm_on_gravity_supply_line_alternatives.pngAmador County – The Amador Water Agency will host a workshop February 1st to “brainstorm” with the public on possible alternatives to the Gravity Supply Line, and improving the Central Amador Water Project supply system, while trying to decrease costs. AWA Board Chairman Bill Condrashoff said Friday the “brainstorming” session was scheduled because “some board members and some members of the public don’t feel there’s been a fair comparison for an alternative project for the Gravity Supply Line.” Condrashoff said there “may be more, possibly viable” solutions to those rising costs, or there may not be better solutions. He said the meeting gives the public the “opportunity to offer suggestions to ways to serve the Buckhorn plant more economically.” He said AWA has “applied for grants for funding for the GSL,” but has not applied for grants to upgrade pumps on the pipeline that now carries raw water to Buckhorn. He said that to do a rate increase for the project, the agency must have environmental work completed on the GSL, and the project must be approved by the board. Condrashoff said in his opinion, an upgrade of the existing pipeline and pumps would also require a new Environmental Impact Report. AWA Attorney Stephen Kronick has said such a project would not require a new EIR. AWA staff has said a rate increase is needed in the Central Amador Water Project, regardless of how improvements are made. 2 weeks ago, Kronick told the AWA board that “Capital Improvement Projects can include expansion projects,” but “this is about raising rates.” Kronick said those projects, such as building a “big storage tank,” should be looked at in terms of purpose. He said if it is being built to assure adequate service in the area, it is exempt from needing a new EIR. The “brainstorming” workshop is 6 p.m. Monday, February 1st at the AWA office. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.