Amador County – Candidates for the Amador Water Agency board discussed Upcountry issues at a forum Monday, including whether to repair and replace the Tiger Creek pipeline or build a Gravity Supply Line.
In public comment, Dutch Green asked candidates to address the cost to completely replace the Tiger Creek pipeline, which delivers water to the Buckhorn water plant and customers of the Central Amador Water Project service area.
John Asmus said if there is a good operation and maintenance analysis of the Tiger Creek pipeline, he has not seen it, and he would like to see what it would cost to get a 25 percent increase out of the pumps.
Dale Turner said it would take $4 million to bring the Tiger Creek pipeline up to par, with no grants and no loans.
Bill Condrashoff said “it’s not an either or” situation, because if they build the GSL, the agency still must keep up the Tiger Creek pipeline and pumps, because the GSL will be down six weeks a year for servicing of the reservoir.
Robert Manassero said the 1978 Central Amador Water Project pipeline was put in as a temporary system in 1978, and it costs about $20,000 a year to service. He said: “You can’t put $4 million into the pumps on a 38-year-old line.”
He said “obviously, down hill, gravity is better,” and “a $5 million grant is better” than a $4 million pump repair project with no grants.
Debbie Dunn said “the pumps go forever, and the pipe itself, bare minimum, has 10 more years of life left.” She said there are no loans or grants because the agency “didn’t look for them.”
Art Toy said replacing the pumps was looked into, and the agency decided to pursue the GSL. He said they should keep pursuing the GSL, unless they want to throw away $1 million already spent on the project.
Asmus said unless there is a tremendous need for capacity, he supported operation and maintenance to “make it better.”
Turner said the project could save about $375,000 a year in PG&E costs. He said: “We have no backup system now,” and the “ideal plan would be to build the GSL and keep the existing pipeline running,” because “if it is not running 100 percent every day,” it will prolong the system’s life.
Condrashoff said it actually would save about $150,000 in PG&E electric costs when using the GSL instead of the Tiger Creek pipeline’s pumps, with about $100,000 lost annually on “power foregone.”
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
