The Board agreed as they feel it is urgent to work quickly to remove the moratorium imposed by the Department of Health Services, thus allowing property owners in the area to begin construction of their long awaited projects. A spot for the new well was proposed near the agency’s best producing well, well number 9, so staff is confident that the new well will meet the State’s requirements. However, much to Mancebo’s and the board’s surprise the item returned, triggered by the lowest bids well exceeding the $100,000 figure. There were two bidders for the project: Canepa and Sons, Inc. who’s bid came in at $128,843, and Mark Fredrick Pump and Supply Company who’s bid came in at $115,940. Staff determined that Mark Fredrick was the lowest responsive bidder and Mancebo recommended to the Board on Thursday that they “bite the bullet and get this thing installed.” He also assured the board that there are adequate funds in the Camanche reserve fund to cover the costs of the project.

Director Terry Moore commented that the agency truly does not have any other choice per the State’s recent decision of not allowing further construction until the well is installed. The Board unanimously decided to award the contract to Mark Fredrick Pump and Supply Company for $115,940. Also the AWA Board of director’s received a report from General Manager Jim Abercrombie of a customer survey that will soon be circulating among untreated water users. According to Abercrombie the agency entered into a Compliance agreement with the Dept. of Health Services regarding implementing the provisions of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. The agreement addressed the issue that some of the customers along the Amador Canal and Ione Pipeline, which are both untreated water lines, utilize the water for purposes other than human consumption.

As part of the agreement the AWA is required to analyze, every 5 years, whether it is economically feasible to pipe treated water to groups of customers that use the untreated water for human consumption. The agency, in order to determine if it is viable, sends surveys to the customers to see if they desire to receive treated water. After receiving the results the agency will analyze whether or not it is economically feasible for the agency to extend treated water service to the customers who showed an interest. Abercrombie said that the board needed to take no action he was just simply forewarning them as he was sure they would be approached by the public regarding the survey.