Plymouth – Plymouth Mayor Jon Colburn and Amador Water Agency President Terence Moore turned the ceremonial spigot to mark the completion of the nearly $10 million AWA-Plymouth water pipeline Monday at the city’s water tank on Fiddletown Road. The big news was that the pipeline from Tanner Water Treatment Plant to Plymouth was under budget and ahead of schedule. Ceremonial water flowed from a pipe that ran into a ditch beside the water plant. Plymouth City Manager Dixon Flynn climbed down to the pipe and scooped up the “first drink” of the pipeline. The city has budgeted to activate the services with the AWA by January 1st. AWA Interim General Manager Gene Mancebo said the project’s construction cost was about $5.5 million, and utilized a $4.2 million USDA grant. Construction numbers were still coming in, Mancebo said: Construction, with contingencies was estimated at just over $6 million, and it was looking like it would finish at about $5.6 million, or $400,000 under budget. The project total cost would be under $10 million. Moore introduced the other 4 AWA board members, all in attendance, and thanked USDA’s Rural Utility Service members, including Frank Risso, for helping fund the project. Flynn said “this has been a project that has been a long time coming.” He said for councilmembers and AWA board, “this was not an easy decision,” but “it was made and we were able to move forward.” He thanked Jack Scroggs of KASL Engineering, saying “this thing was engineered to a T.” And he thanked consultant Richard Prima. Colburn said: “It is pretty unusual that I am here to talk on behalf of the Plymouth City Council, because I am the one who voted against it.” He said he was concerned with the payment process, and preferred the original project of a dam and reservoir for improving city water. Colburn said he was “amazed that it came in under budget.” Councilwoman Patricia Shackleton said “it was a very difficult decision for the council members. I know it was for me.” She said Colburn “is working very hard on a project with the (Arroyo Ditch)” to see if the city can reduce costs to the people. Councilwoman Patricia Fordyce said: “I am looking forward to turning on my faucet and being able to drink it.” Flynn thanked Fordyce for her help with the pipeline, and he noted her determination in making things happen. City Finance Director Jeff Gardner said due to budgeting, the pipeline was expected to actually go online by January 1st. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.