Amador County – A massive federal infrastructure stimulus package made its way to the Amador Water Agency Thursday morning, at least in discussion. The AWA board and staff discussed fast-tracking a Gravity Supply Pipeline Project to have it ready to qualify for federal stimulus funding in as soon as 3 months. AWA General Manager Jim Abercrombie said that could cost $20,000 to $30,000 to get considered, and $500,000 to $1 Million to qualify. He said the supply line would enhance a pump system that serves customers in the Central Amador Water Project, in upper Amador County. Those members are in Pioneer, Mace Meadow, Rabb Park, Pine Grove, Ranch House and other communities. The system currently pumps water up more than 1,200 feet from the Tiger Creek Afterbay to the Buckhorn Water Treatment Plant. AWA now pays $300,000 annually in electrical costs just to pump water to Buckhorn plant – or about half of the Central Amador Water Project’s annual budget. The gravity supply line could divert water at a higher elevation along the PG&E hydropower system above the Tiger Creek Powerhouse and the pipeline would eliminate pumping costs, which have doubled in the past 15 years. Objectives of the Gravity Supply Pipeline are eliminating dependency on power, improving water quality, providing a renewable raw water supply and reducing operation costs. Abercrombie said the 12-inch pipeline now in use was installed in an emergency during a drought in the 1970s. Engineering Manager Gene Mancebo said the cost of building the gravity supply line was estimated in-house to cost between $10 Million and $12 Million to build, but the estimated lifetime of the pipeline would be 70 to 100 years. Board Member Don Cooper said he thought the $12 Million cost estimate was questionably low. He also urged more PG&E involvement. Abercrombie said the agency would “sharpen its pencil” on the estimate, which was made with older studies. Chairman Terence Moore said the agency saving all that electricity goes over very well for project support and qualifying for funding. Agency Attorney Steve Kronick said the agency should ask for the entire cost of the project from federal stimulus sources, not just a portion of the cost. Story by Jim Reece
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Amador County – A massive federal infrastructure stimulus package made its way to the Amador Water Agency Thursday morning, at least in discussion. The AWA board and staff discussed fast-tracking a Gravity Supply Pipeline Project to have it ready to qualify for federal stimulus funding in as soon as 3 months. AWA General Manager Jim Abercrombie said that could cost $20,000 to $30,000 to get considered, and $500,000 to $1 Million to qualify. He said the supply line would enhance a pump system that serves customers in the Central Amador Water Project, in upper Amador County. Those members are in Pioneer, Mace Meadow, Rabb Park, Pine Grove, Ranch House and other communities. The system currently pumps water up more than 1,200 feet from the Tiger Creek Afterbay to the Buckhorn Water Treatment Plant. AWA now pays $300,000 annually in electrical costs just to pump water to Buckhorn plant – or about half of the Central Amador Water Project’s annual budget. The gravity supply line could divert water at a higher elevation along the PG&E hydropower system above the Tiger Creek Powerhouse and the pipeline would eliminate pumping costs, which have doubled in the past 15 years. Objectives of the Gravity Supply Pipeline are eliminating dependency on power, improving water quality, providing a renewable raw water supply and reducing operation costs. Abercrombie said the 12-inch pipeline now in use was installed in an emergency during a drought in the 1970s. Engineering Manager Gene Mancebo said the cost of building the gravity supply line was estimated in-house to cost between $10 Million and $12 Million to build, but the estimated lifetime of the pipeline would be 70 to 100 years. Board Member Don Cooper said he thought the $12 Million cost estimate was questionably low. He also urged more PG&E involvement. Abercrombie said the agency would “sharpen its pencil” on the estimate, which was made with older studies. Chairman Terence Moore said the agency saving all that electricity goes over very well for project support and qualifying for funding. Agency Attorney Steve Kronick said the agency should ask for the entire cost of the project from federal stimulus sources, not just a portion of the cost. Story by Jim Reece
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