In the next 60 to 90 days, construction will start on a water treatment plant that will “significantly” improve quality for residents in the middle and west side of Hollister, a water district official said.
The West Hills Treatment Plant is one of two treatment plant projects set to cost $33 million and paid for by the rate hikes associated with the Hollister Urban Area Water Project, the broader plan to get the area in compliance with quality standards. With an additional $2 million or so for a recycled water project, the project total is estimated at about $35 million, said Jeff Cattaneo, manager of the San Benito County Water District.
Groundbreaking for the west hills plant is of particular importance because it will affect such a huge swath of the city and allow those residents to get off bottled water and water softeners if they choose.
“The water quality going to the west side of the City of Hollister and the middle part of the city will be significantly better,” Cattaneo said.
He said the plant will be located in the hills facing Sunnyslope Road. He expected the project to be finished in January 2017.
The Hollister Urban Area Project is a multi-district endeavor headed up by local water agencies. In August 2013, the Hollister City Council unanimously approved the Hollister Urban Area Water Project along with rate hikes—effective in January—to pay for costs largely related to lowering salt content in groundwater. State regulators have threatened fines if federal water standards are not met. Those same regulators fined San Juan Bautista $136,000 for failing to meet water standards.
The West Hills Treatment Plant portion is intended to treat up to 4.5 million gallons a day of imported water. Together, the two plants will increase the quality of drinking water throughout the area and will allow Hollister and Sunnyslope districts to decrease pumping of groundwater.
