The county water district has announced it obtained $4.1 million from Proposition 84, passed by state voters in 2006, to help offset costs from several upcoming projects.
The infusion is expected to go toward paying for a series of water projects adding up to about $30 million in capital costs – projects meant to improve water quality in the area.
According to the announcement from the water district:
The San Benito County Water District (SBCWD) announced it has been successful in its efforts to secure $4.1 million in Proposition 84 funding. Proposition 84 authorized the State of California to sell $5.4 billion in general obligation bonds for water and flood control projects.
The funding will assist with the costs associated with the Hollister Urban Area Water Project (HUAWP). This project will provide better quality drinking water throughout the Hollister Urban Area and in turn, will produce a better quality wastewater that will help the City meet stringent wastewater discharge requirements, help protect our local groundwater basin and assist in producing a high-quality recycled water.
The SBCWD initially began work on an Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP) in 2004 with other partners that share their local watershed. An IRWMP is a collaborative effort to manage all aspects of water resources in a region. The IRWMP involves multiple agencies and stakeholders to address issues through mutually beneficial solutions.
Out of those initial meetings in 2004, the Pajaro River Watershed Integrated Regional Water Management Plan was developed. The Pajaro River Watershed Regional Water Management Group consists of:
−   San Benito County Water District (SBCWD)
−   Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD)
−   Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency (PVWMA)
The HUAWP is one of the projects identified by the Group as benefitting the local and regional watershed and was included in the Proposition 84 application.
The Pajaro River Watershed is approximately 1,300 square miles and covers portions of Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Benito, and Monterey Counties.
The Pajaro River’s largest tributary is the San Benito River which is much longer than the Pajaro, flowing northwest from its source at an elevation of 4760 feet on San Benito Mountain on its course between the Diablo Range and the Gabilan Range ultimately joining the Pajaro River. The Pajaro River eventually drains into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
For more information about the Hollister Urban Area Water Project visit: www.hollisterwaterproject.com or email:
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