Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors last week announced it will delay implementing a scheduled 9% rate increase for Wastewater Improvement District Number 1 customers until after the 2012-2013 budget is completed.

The board voted June 14 to hold the rate increase, and Board President Gary Thomas said last week the approval of the budget could have the effect of making a lower rate increase possible for Wastewater District 1, which includes most of the wastewater systems operated by the Agency.

AWA General Manager Gene Mancebo said “all or a portion of the rate increase could be implemented following financial review of the district” and AWA is “keeping our ratepayers concerns in mind. Let’s get through the budget process and a thorough review of the district finances first.” He said: “Recent cost-cutting and staff layoffs may mean we only need to implement a portion of that 9 percent increase.”

AWA budget workshops continued Monday and “a financial review of all three AWA wastewater districts is anticipated to occur later in the fiscal year,” Mancebo said.

Also in the June 14 meeting, AWA Directors heard a report from engineering consultant Peterson Brustad Incorporated on alternatives for managing “backwash” at the Buckhorn Water Treatment plant.

In the current system, backwash water is used to clean the treatment plant filters. Backwash is then piped to a pond at Mace Meadow Golf Course and used for summer irrigation. Mancebo said “the Mace Meadow pond is not large enough to accommodate all of the plant’s backwash water and 100-year rainfall events, putting the Agency at risk for fines by state regulators.”

The consultants recommended AWA install a system that would filter solids out of used backwash water and dry the solids for removal to a landfill. The filtered water could then be recycled back through the water treatment plant. Peterson Brustad also made recommendations for adjustments in water treatment and treated water storage to help the Agency meet the new state standards.

Mancebo said “the Agency is facing an October 2013 deadline to get disposal of the backwash water in compliance with new state requirements.”

Recommended improvements were estimated to costs $430,000, Mancebo said, which is “considerably less than estimates to enlarge the Mace Meadow pond. With the new system, the Agency will have the choice to continue sending water to Mace Meadow Golf Course for irrigation, or not, in the future.”

Application has been made to the State Department of Public Health for grants or low interest loans to pay for the necessary improvements. Directors unanimously approved including the project in the upcountry water system’s 2012-2013 budget and will proceed only when funding becomes available.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.