In a special meeting at the Amador Water Agency on Thursday, the Board of Directors voted to eliminate the 1.5 million-gallon water storage tank that was planned for the Plymouth Pipeline project. Gene Mancebo provided the board with a detailed explanation of the research that brought about staff’s recommendation to possibly eliminate the tank. Through this research, the agency determined that the tank could not be filled during peak water usage periods.  This realization prompted the agency to look at alternatives, including pumping water hydraulically to the tank, lowering the tank location, pipe improvements to reduce head loss, or elimination of the tank. All of the proposed alternatives did not improve the situation. The tank was to be located on Ed Swift’s property, a project he has been involved with since the agency first approached him in 1992. 

Surprisingly, Swift’s response to the possible elimination of the tank was mild.  He expressed his satisfaction in working with the Amador Water Agency and thanked everyone for their hard work. Swift’s concerns centered on fire protection issues, citing a devastating fire that occurred in Sutter Creek in 1962 that burned somewhat out of control.  Additionally, he had concerns about the Sutter Creek fire hydrants and whether they were up to code. In response to these concerns, Jim Abercrombie, General Manager for the agency, explained that eliminating the tank would have no impact on local fire response outcomes, saying that “we don’t have the tank now, so not having the tank is no different than what we have now.”

The board was generally in agreement with the agency’s recommendation of eliminating the tank altogether, and did mention possibly reimbursing Swift for any expenses he had incurred related to the tank project. Besides Swift, the only other public response was from Stephanie McNair, one of the developers for Plymouth’s Cottage Hill development project.  McNair had questions for the agency related to Plymouth’s water usage numbers.  After hearing all comments, the board unanimously voted to eliminate the water storage tank. At their next meeting on April 24th, Abercrombie will have more information on the Plymouth Pipeline Project.