The State’s budget cuts could mean a loss of some 200,000 dollars to the Amador Water Agency’s budget. The board of the AWA is concerned that the state will find legal ways to permanently borrow property tax funds that were supposed to be protected by Prop 1A. Part of Prop 1A’s purpose is to insure that those funds can only be borrowed. The agency will likely not receive funds this year, and there are concerns about future years. The AWA will continue to weigh the options in upcoming meetings.

The AWA has also received good news from the City of Ione regarding the new transmission pipeline. AWA reported that water quality had increased due to a reduction of dirt with the new system. The need to backwash the filters to clear them using raw water is also reduced, which in turn reduces the impact on the capacity of the Ione sewer system. Jim Abercrombie reported that the reduction of waste water was about 50,000 gallons per day.

AWA reported Thursday that the Plymouth pipeline is moving along and they may be able to request bids on the project as early as May of this year. AWA is also looking to create a Waste Water outreach Committee to work with other county entities such as the cities of Jackson, Sutter Creek, and Ione to discuss the Regional Wastewater Management Strategy and Implementation Plan. Board member Paul Scott said the project could cost 10’s of millions of dollars and they need the support of all entities. Board member Moore pointed out that not only are they trying to manage wastewater, but the county has an opportunity to save fresh water as well by using potable water. Abercrombie said a component of the plan will require new rate users and new developments to pay the costs of recycling and reclaiming waste water.