Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors last week approved the Gravity Supply Line project, saying in a 3-2 vote that it was ready for the next step. President Bill Condrashoff asked for an explanation of a “discrepancy” between the “preliminary engineering report,” and a later analysis. Director Terence Moore said “the fact that it was called a preliminary report indicates it will change,” and doesn’t contain what will be in the final report. Condrashoff said: “Is it really a 5 cubic feet per second (cfs) designed project or a 9 cfs designed project?” Interim Moore said Engineering Manager Erik Christeson’s preliminary report clearly stated that some of the data was not finished. Interim General Manager Gene Mancebo said the environmental document was written for 5 cfs, and all documents since January are based on 5 cfs. Work begun in 2008 looked at the “swath first,” and did not really have to look at the size. Christeson said the “fatal flaw” analysis “was not affected by the size of the pipe.” Director Don Cooper said “it is clear this is a 5 cfs project.” Vice President Debbie Dunn asked why they would not build the pipeline to match capacity at the Buckhorn water treatment plant. Moore said they would probably never meet that plant’s maximum 5 million gallons a day flow unless they get more water rights. Dunn asked what size of pipes could be used to make certain flow amounts. Mancebo said there are “just way too many variables” to give just one answer. Those include the type of pipe, elevation, and ending pressure necessary, if you need to fill a tank. He said even in the updated plan, they are using 2 different sizes of pipes. He said “chances are, you end up with a pipe size that is not commercially made.” Other impacts on water flow could be friction, and the number of valves and fittings used, which can change in the length of pipe sections. Dunn said “to be able to make a decision today,” she figured the engineering department could give her that information. Mancebo said they are “asking the board to approve a project based on this alignment and distance, base on 5 cfs, and changes can be made if needed. Director Don Cooper told Dunn not to try to engineer the project. He said: “I think it’s important that you trust your engineering staff.” He said pipe sizes were identified in the negative declaration, and “I’m not going to become an engineer” on the project, “and I am an engineer.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Monday, 29 March 2010 01:44
AWA Discusses GSL Capacity Before Approval
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors last week approved the Gravity Supply Line project, saying in a 3-2 vote that it was ready for the next step. President Bill Condrashoff asked for an explanation of a “discrepancy” between the “preliminary engineering report,” and a later analysis. Director Terence Moore said “the fact that it was called a preliminary report indicates it will change,” and doesn’t contain what will be in the final report. Condrashoff said: “Is it really a 5 cubic feet per second (cfs) designed project or a 9 cfs designed project?” Interim Moore said Engineering Manager Erik Christeson’s preliminary report clearly stated that some of the data was not finished. Interim General Manager Gene Mancebo said the environmental document was written for 5 cfs, and all documents since January are based on 5 cfs. Work begun in 2008 looked at the “swath first,” and did not really have to look at the size. Christeson said the “fatal flaw” analysis “was not affected by the size of the pipe.” Director Don Cooper said “it is clear this is a 5 cfs project.” Vice President Debbie Dunn asked why they would not build the pipeline to match capacity at the Buckhorn water treatment plant. Moore said they would probably never meet that plant’s maximum 5 million gallons a day flow unless they get more water rights. Dunn asked what size of pipes could be used to make certain flow amounts. Mancebo said there are “just way too many variables” to give just one answer. Those include the type of pipe, elevation, and ending pressure necessary, if you need to fill a tank. He said even in the updated plan, they are using 2 different sizes of pipes. He said “chances are, you end up with a pipe size that is not commercially made.” Other impacts on water flow could be friction, and the number of valves and fittings used, which can change in the length of pipe sections. Dunn said “to be able to make a decision today,” she figured the engineering department could give her that information. Mancebo said they are “asking the board to approve a project based on this alignment and distance, base on 5 cfs, and changes can be made if needed. Director Don Cooper told Dunn not to try to engineer the project. He said: “I think it’s important that you trust your engineering staff.” He said pipe sizes were identified in the negative declaration, and “I’m not going to become an engineer” on the project, “and I am an engineer.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Latest from
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