Amador County – An Amador Water Agency special workshop Thursday discussed the “Gravity Supply Line” project, which would replace the existing pipeline that carries raw water from Tiger Creek to the Central Amador Water Project. Interim General Manger Gene Mancebo called the Gravity Supply Line a “green project” because using the gravity-driven pipeline would result in “2.2 million kilowatt hours taken off the grid.” It would replace electrical pumps feeding the Buckhorn plant, serving 4,020 parcels in Amador County’s Upcountry. District 1 Director Bill Condrashoff said that it was “not saving” that energy, because AWA would pay PG&E for water released above its generators, and foregone electricity generated. Mancebo said he disagreed, “because we are taking it from their storage,” and “if they were using 100 percent of their stored water, then that would be true.” He said they we’re talking about annually spending $50,000 to fund the GSL, versus $250,000 to $300,000 to operate the lift pumps. Condrashoff said until they get rights to more water, there is no need for the GSL. Mancebo said AWA is in the process of expanding its water rights, and the GSL would increase capacity by more than 50 percent over current demand of 1,120 acre feet. Engineering Manger Erik Christeson said the GSL could serve 2,800 additional parcels, and according to the existing Amador County General Plan, “the GSL doesn’t serve even half of what could exist” in the county, or 13,544 total connections. Condrashoff and District 3 Director Debbie Dunn said the agency had not pursued grants for repairs to the pumps that run the current system. Dunn suggested making the system green by running pumps with solar power, and said replacement of the 12-inch existing pipeline was 20 years in the future and did not belong in the discussion. Christeson said the USDA’s “Dave Hartwell is ready to give us $5 million” and “contractors are hungry and they are willing to take financial hits to get jobs.” Mancebo said “we need to consider putting money into those pump stations” or into the GSL. He said the federal stimulus grant is a strong possibility, and staff believes the “GSL has a lower annual cost as opposed to the lift station.” He said AWA will hear from USDA in 30-60 days on the agency’s negative declaration of environmental impact for the Gravity Supply Line, and will also be able to look closer at construction costs, as they weigh decisions. He said “doing nothing is not an option.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.