Amador County – The Amador Water Agency Committee to discuss water issues in the Central Amador Water Project service area will hold its final meetings this week.

AWA is expecting a strong turnout at the last one 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Veterans Memorial Hall on Buckhorn Ridge Road in Pioneer. Upcountry AWA customers had three more opportunities this week (including 2 today) to meet with the committee on the Gravity Supply Line, and other issues facing the system.

The committee, AWA Directors Robert Manassero and President Don Cooper have held meetings at Upcountry restaurants and coffee shops this month to get feedback from customers on how to address the most pressing issues on the Upcountry water system.

AWA General Manager Gene Mancebo in a release Monday said “about 40 times a year,” the CAWP water system “breaks down. The aging and failing water system suffers from electrical and mechanical failures, computer and communication problems, and power outages,” and its pumps are “subject to increasing electric costs, currently about $300,000 a year.”

Staff said Cooper and Manassero were pleased with turnout in the meetings designed to inform customers about the Upcountry water system, current challenges it faces, what options are being considered, and “how to participate in decision-making for the system that needs to happen soon.”

The “drop dead” date for a USDA loan for the Gravity Supply Line is July 22. That is the date by which USDA requires a financial plan to be in place. At its last meeting, Cooper reported that in the series of coffee shop meetings with CAWP customers, 75-80 percent said they are in favor of the Gravity Supply Line. But they were not supportive of paying for it, and for “future customers.”

Staff last week presented new conceptual plans for funding, which need more study, including formation of an assessment district, or consolidation of water rates. Either plan could require seeking and attaining an extension from the USDA Rural Utilities Service on the $5 million grant. It would also require approval and backing from the Amador County Board of Supervisors, because an extension would also delay repayment of a $900,000 Water Development Fund Loan, which the AWA owes the county. At last week’s meeting, the board asked staff to also get word to Supervisors about the potential new funding plans, and seek their agreement.

AWA Director Art Toy asked Mancebo, “What do your tea leaves tell you” about an RUS extension? Mancebo said” Rural Utilities Service is very supportive of this project,” and such extensions have been given before for other projects.

Toy said he would “rather unhinge the time constraint with the cost,” before looking at other funding paths. He ultimately dissented in the 4-1 approval, but supported going to bid on the GSL right away.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.