After opposition arose from local residents, the San Benito
County Farm Bureau and the San Benito County Water District, the
city of Hollister is
”
re-evaluating
”
how it plans to dispose wastewater once a new sewer plant is
constructed.
Hollister – After opposition arose from local residents, the San Benito County Farm Bureau and the San Benito County Water District, the city of Hollister is “re-evaluating” how it plans to dispose wastewater once a new sewer plant is constructed.
Residents at Tuesday’s City Council meeting spoke out against the city’s proposal to build additional percolation ponds adjacent to Wright and Buena Vista roads. And Farm Bureau member Anthony Botelho reiterated the organization’s stance against that form of disposal, saying the city should instead recycle its sewage for use on golf courses and farm fields.
By Monday’s meeting, however, city officials already had decided to reconsider not only the location of a pond, but also whether that form of disposal would be the best option, according to City Manager Clint Quilter.
City officials will continue meeting with representatives from the water district and Farm Bureau before making a final decision, for which Quilter said there’s no specified timeline. Asked if putting additional percolation ponds at the Wright Road location is still an option, Quilter said, “We’re reevaluating disposal in general.”
The water district’s head manager, John Gregg, also declined to say whether a final decision had been made regarding the Wright Road location.
“You have to get that information from the city,” he said.
As part of Hollister’s $38 million plan to revamp its wastewater operations, officials had proposed expanding its current slate of percolation ponds until the system is ready to reclaim, or recycle, wastewater – which they expect could take a few years.
The difference between percolation and reclamation mostly stirs environmental concerns, such as its effects on groundwater tables. Percolation is when treated water filters into the ground. The reclamation method is treating the wastewater to a point where it can be reused.
Though residents living in the Wright Road area also have expressed worries over quality of life issues, such as appearance and smell.
Chris Silverburg was among four residents from the Wright Road neighborhood who spoke against the proposed percolation ponds; several others attended the meeting to support the cause. Silverburg said it would create problems related to quality of life, the environment, nearby water wells and land values.
Another resident, Laura Jimenez, told council members she thinks the additional standing water could attract mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus.
“I moved down here to get away from all of this…” she said.
Councilman Robert Scattini, though he pointed out that any location of a new percolation pond would draw opposition, said construction of one in the Wright Road location is now unlikely.
“I think the city’s going to do everything possible to change the location, to look for a new location,” Scattini said.
