Amador County – The Amador County Water Agency board heard 2 different staff reports last week on the estimated $13 million Gravity Supply Line for Upcountry water customers. One report attempted to answer the question: Why do this at all? Interim Engineering Manager Erik Christeson said 2 independent engineering studies and 1 internal study found the GSL was the best plan to create greater water reliability and quality. The project would build a gravity-flow pipeline to feed the Buckhorn Water Treatment Plant. AWA President Bill Condrashoff worried about the reliability of source water, the Tiger Creek regulator bay. Interim General Manger Gene Mancebo said the reservoir has not been seen “dry” in 20 years, and they could “pressure the tunnel” to force GSL flow, if needed. In public comment, David Evitt said the AWA should instead be considering solar power at the existing pump stations. Christeson said 3 solar contractors agreed with a staff recommendation to “not proceed” with a Central Amador Water Project site to “offset pump station energy requirements.” The consultant also agreed with staff recommendation to place solar power panels at the Tanner plant site. An extensive solar panel project at Tanner was shelved by the board last year, along with a project to expand the Amador Water System. Christeson said the Gravity Supply Line “conserves more fossil fuels, reduces more environmental pollutants, eliminates more carbon emissions and is more environmentally friendly than any proposed solar project.” He said staff found a possible USDA grant of 25 percent, with a 75 percent loan to fund pump station upgrades, but it would “not correct health or sanitary issues.” Condrashoff worried about failure of the existing system when it becomes backup to the GSL, and the plan included no money to keep up the pump system. Christeson said the pumps would cost $20,000 for electricity annually as backups. Director Don Cooper said the “wonderful thing” is having lots of options, including replacing electricity for the pumps with diesel engines. Mancebo said the “pump station is the contingency plan,” and “won’t be used as it is now.” The pump system now has no backup, besides trucking in generators to the 2 pumps. Director Gary Thomas said the pump pipeline has about 1,500 days of life left, and AWA can “select when to use them.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.-
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Amador County – The Amador County Water Agency board heard 2 different staff reports last week on the estimated $13 million Gravity Supply Line for Upcountry water customers. One report attempted to answer the question: Why do this at all? Interim Engineering Manager Erik Christeson said 2 independent engineering studies and 1 internal study found the GSL was the best plan to create greater water reliability and quality. The project would build a gravity-flow pipeline to feed the Buckhorn Water Treatment Plant. AWA President Bill Condrashoff worried about the reliability of source water, the Tiger Creek regulator bay. Interim General Manger Gene Mancebo said the reservoir has not been seen “dry” in 20 years, and they could “pressure the tunnel” to force GSL flow, if needed. In public comment, David Evitt said the AWA should instead be considering solar power at the existing pump stations. Christeson said 3 solar contractors agreed with a staff recommendation to “not proceed” with a Central Amador Water Project site to “offset pump station energy requirements.” The consultant also agreed with staff recommendation to place solar power panels at the Tanner plant site. An extensive solar panel project at Tanner was shelved by the board last year, along with a project to expand the Amador Water System. Christeson said the Gravity Supply Line “conserves more fossil fuels, reduces more environmental pollutants, eliminates more carbon emissions and is more environmentally friendly than any proposed solar project.” He said staff found a possible USDA grant of 25 percent, with a 75 percent loan to fund pump station upgrades, but it would “not correct health or sanitary issues.” Condrashoff worried about failure of the existing system when it becomes backup to the GSL, and the plan included no money to keep up the pump system. Christeson said the pumps would cost $20,000 for electricity annually as backups. Director Don Cooper said the “wonderful thing” is having lots of options, including replacing electricity for the pumps with diesel engines. Mancebo said the “pump station is the contingency plan,” and “won’t be used as it is now.” The pump system now has no backup, besides trucking in generators to the 2 pumps. Director Gary Thomas said the pump pipeline has about 1,500 days of life left, and AWA can “select when to use them.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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